There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy and the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.
People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.
Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接觸) with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.
【小題1】People who are unhappy _______.

A．a(chǎn)lways consider things differently from others

B．usually misunderstand what others think or say

C．a(chǎn)lways discover the unpleasant side of certain things

D．usually are affected by the results of certain things

【小題2】The phrase “sour the pleasure of society” in the first paragraph most nearly means “_______”.

A．make others unhappy

B．tend to scold others openly

C．have a good taste with social life

D．enjoy the pleasure of life

【小題3】We can conclude from the passage that _______.

A．we should pity all such unhappy people

B．people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness

C．such unhappy people are dangerous to social life

D．unhappy people can not understand happy persons

【小題4】In this passage, the writer mainly _______.

A．describes two types of people

B．laughs at the unhappy people

C．tells people how to be happy in life

D．suggests the unhappy people should get rid of the habits of unhappiness

I was blind, but I was ashamed of it if it was known. I refused to use a white stick and hated asking for help. After all, I was a teenager girl, and I couldn't bear people to look at me and think I was not like them. I must have been a terrible danger on the roads, coming across me wandering through the traffic; motorists probably would have to step rapidly on their brakes. Apart from that, there were all sorts of disasters that used to occur on the way to and from work.
One evening, I got off the bus about halfway home where I had to change buses, and as usual I ran into something. "I'm awfully sorry," I said and stepped forward only to run into it again. When it happened a third time, I realized I had been apologizing to a lamppost. This was just one of the stupid things that constantly happened to me. So I carried on and found the bus stop, which was a request stop, where the bus wouldn't stop unless passengers wanted to get on or off. No one else was there and I had to try to guess if the bus had arrived.
Generally in this situation, because I hated showing I was blind by asking for help, I tried to guess at the sound. Sometimes I would stop a big lorry and stand there feeling stupid as it drew away. In the end, I usually managed to swallow my pride and ask someone at the stop for help.
But on this particular evening no one joined me at the stop; it seemed that everyone had suddenly decided not to travel by bus. Of course I heard plenty of buses pass, or I thought I did. But because I had given up stopping them for fear of making a fool of myself, I let them all go by. I stood there alone for half an hour without stopping one. Then I gave up. I decided to walk on to the next stop.
【小題1】The girl refused to ask for help because she thought_________

A．she might be recognized

B．a(chǎn)sking for help looked silly

C．she was normal and independent

D．being found blind was embarrassing

【小題2】After the girl got off the bus that evening, she_________.

A．began to run

B．hit a person as usual

C．hit a lamppost by accident

D．was caught by something

【小題3】At the request stop that evening, the girl___________.

A．stopped a big lorry

B．stopped the wrong bus

C．made no attempt to stop the bus

D．was not noticed by other people

【小題4】What was the problem with guessing at the sound to stop a bus? _________

A．Other vehicles also stopped there.

B．It was unreliable for making judgments.

C．More lorries than buses responded to the girl.

D．It took too much time for the girl to catch the bus

The way people hold to the belief that a fun-filled, and pain-free life equals happiness actually reduces their chances of ever attaining real happiness. If fun and pleasure are equal to happiness then pain must be equal to unhappiness. But in fact, the opposite is true: more often than not things that lead to happiness involve some pain.
As a result, many people avoid the very attempts that are the source of true happiness. They fear the pain inevitably(不可避免的) brought by such things as marriage, raising children, professional achievement, religious commitment (義務(wù)), self - improvement.
Ask a bachelor(單身漢) why he resists marriage even though he finds dating to be less and less satisfying. If he is honest he will tell you that he is afraid of making a commitment. For commitment is in fact quite painful. The single life is filled with fun, adventure, excitement. Marriage has such moments, but they are not its most distinguishing features.
Couples with infant children are lucky to get a whole night’s sleep or a three - day vacation. I don’t know any parent who would choose the word fun to describe raising children. But couples who decide not to have children never know the joys of watching a child grow up or of playing with a grandchild.
Understanding and accepting that true happiness has nothing to do with fun is one of the most liberating realizations. It liberates time: now we can devote more hours to activities that can genuinely increase our happiness. It liberates （解放）money: buying that new car or those fancy clothes that will do nothing to increase our happiness now seems pointless. And it liberates us from envy: we now understand that all those who are always having so much fun actually may not be happy at all.
【小題1】According to the author, a bachelor resists marriage chiefly because _______ .

A．he is reluctant to take on family responsibilities

B．he believes that life will be more cheerful if he remains single

C．he finds more fun in dating than in marriage

D．he fears it will put an end to all his fun adventure and excitement

【小題2】From the last paragraph, we learn that envy sometimes stems from ________ .

A．hatred

B．misunderstanding

C．prejudice

D．ignorance

【小題3】What is the author trying to tell us?

A．Happiness often goes hand in hand with pain.

B．One must know how to attain happiness.

C．It is important to make commitments.

D．It is pain that leads to happiness.

Many people influenced various aspects of my life, based on their personal characteristics, accomplishments, and values. I have been fortunate to have had numerous teachers and professors who I respect for their patience and intelligence. There are artists that have inspired me by their natural talents and original creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our futures. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father.
As the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be “Daddy’s little girl”. While I grew up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbors without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children’s lives. In every aspect of my life my father continuously pushes me to excel, so I could accomplish my work outstandingly among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or have a question or a concern, I know I can always call on him for advice. From him I have also learned that sometimes you have to put others’ needs ahead of your own, but you should make sure you are not taken advantage of by others. His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to accomplish anything he sets his mind on, no matter how tiny it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, compassion for people, and sense of understanding. He is a very reserved man, but to everybody’s surprise, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends.
Living in his affection and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are involved in.
【小題1】What is the best title for the passage?

A．How my father loved me

B．My father—the person I admire most

C．I am the apple on my father’s palm

D．My father—the one who influenced me most

【小題2】Which of the following could not be used to describe the author’s father?

A．Considerate and humorous

B．Affectionate and open-minded

C．Knowledgeable and sociable

D．Energetic and helpful

【小題3】Which of the following can best explain the underlined word “excel”?

A．Do better than others.	B．Show off.
C．Be cleverer than others.	D．Keep healthy

【小題4】What can we infer about the author?

A．She appreciated her father because he solved all the problems for her.

B．She considered her father humorous and was often made to laugh by him.

C．She had sympathy for the fatherless.

D．She was outstanding in work because her father pushed her hard.

When Joan gave birth to the first boy in her family in three generations, she and her husband were overjoyed. So were her parents. Joan expected her elder sister, Sally, to be just as delighted as them. Joan had always admired Sally--the beauty and the star of the family--and felt happy about her achievements.
But since the baby's arrival, the sisters have become distant. Joan feels hurt for Sally seems completely uninterested in her baby. Sally, who has no children, claims that her younger sister "acts as if no one ever had a baby before."
Neither Sally nor Joan understands that the real cause of the current coldness is that their family roles have suddenly changed to the opposite. Finally Joan seems to be better than her elder sister--and Sally doesn't like it! Their distance may be temporary, but it shows that childhood competition don't fade easily as ages grow. It can remain powerful in relationships throughout life.
In a study of the University of Cincinnati, 65 men and women between ages 25 and 93 were asked how they felt about their brothers and sisters. Nearly 75 percent admitted having hidden competitive feelings. In a few cases, these emotions were so strong as to have affected their entire lives.
Many adult brothers and sisters are close, supportive--yet still tend to compete. Two brothers I know turn into killers when on opposite sides of a tennis net. Off the court, they are the best of friends. My own younger sister can't wait to tell me when I've put on weight. However, she's a terrible cook and that pleases me; I tease her when she comes to dinner. Happily, despite these small failings, we have been an important resource for each other.
In between the very competitive and the generally supportive children lie those who say that no friendship should survive. Some brothers and sisters stay at arm's length, but never give up competition completely. Why do these puzzling, unproductive, often painful relationships continue to exist?
【小題1】When Joan's son was born, Sally       .

A．felt very happy

B．felt not delighted

C．moved away

D．a(chǎn)dmired her a lot

【小題2】What happens to children's desire to compete with their brothers and sisters?

A．It sometimes will disappear when they grow up.

B．It will never disappear throughout life.

C．It will improve their relationships when they grow up.

D．It will never harm their relationships when they grow up.

【小題3】Why does the author's sister often tell her when she's put on weight?

A．Because she wants the author to go on a diet.

B．Because she wants the author to stop calling her a bad cook.

C．Because she wants to make fun of the author's weight.

D．Because she wants to be honest with the author.

【小題4】The underlined sentence means that although some brothers and sisters       .

A．live near each other, they still have competitions

B．live away from each other, they stop their competitions

C．live together, they often think of ending their competitions

D．live within a big family, they often try to end their competitions

When I was young I wanted to be a model，so when a national contest was staged，I convinced my parents to take me for an audition (試演)．I was selected and told I had potential.They said that for only $900 I could attend a weekend event which dozens of the most prestigious (有聲望的) modeling agencies from around the world would attend.At 13，my hopes of fame and fortune clouded all judgement and I begged my parents to let me go.We have never been rich，but they saw my enthusiasm and agreed.
I imagined being signed by some famous model companies.For months，any boredom or disappointment I faced was pushed aside because I knew I would soon have the chance to be real model.I thought I would grace the covers of famous magazines!
Of course，I wasn't signed，but what hurt the most was being told that if I grew to 5′9″(about 1.75 metres) I could be a success.I prayed for a growth spurt (沖刺) because I could not imagine giving up my dream.I made an appointment with a local modeling agency and the agent demanded $500 for classes.$500 for a photo shoot，and $300 for other expenses.My parents only agreed after hours and hours of my begging.
The agency sent me out on a few auditions，but with every day I didn't receive a call，I grew more depressed.The_final_straw came in July after I had decided to focus on commercial modeling.There was an open call in New York City.We spent hours driving and another few hours waiting，only to be told that I was too short.I was devastated (極度不安的)．
Years later，I realized that the trip to New York was good as it made me notice I didn't actually love modeling，just the idea of it.I wanted to be special and I was innocently determined to reach an impossible goal.The experience has made me stronger and that will help me in the future.
【小題1】What's the main reason why the author wanted to be a model?

A．She won a national contest.

B．She wanted to get reputation and wealth.

C．She was urged by some modeling agencies.

D．She had full potential to be a successful model.

【小題2】What's the author's parents' attitude toward her dream?

A．Encouraging.	B．Worried.
C．Doubtful.	D．Enthusiastic.

【小題3】What was it that made the author end her attempt to become a model?

A．Her parents were strongly against it.

B．She realized that it was impossible for her.

C．Even a local modeling agency turned her down.

D．She realized that she didn't actually love the idea of modeling.

【小題4】The underlined phrase “The final straw” probably means ________.

A．the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset，angry，etc...

B．the final result that she was admitted by the model company.

C．the final audition given by the agency.

D．the decision that she made at last not to be a model any more.

【小題5】What did the author learn from her experience of struggling to be a model?

A．Where there's a will there's way.

B．Being a model is not that easy.

C．We should have our own judgement and should not just follow others.

D．We might set unpractical goals but the experience can help us grow.

I once had a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends. However, in spite of the serious illness, he was initially determined to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life. I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible way for hope of saving your life.
As months went on and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him. He had also been a happy person with a cheerful personality, but rather than give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort in God and humanity. His talks focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his concerned ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him.
During the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice (安養(yǎng)院) came to the home to regulate his medication and provide any other needed support. He didn't complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him.
Indeed, one might think why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others. You often can't learn these important attributes in the lap of luxury, and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the illness can give those left behind.
【小題1】What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?

A．He was operated on immediately.

B．He retired from his job.

C．He researched cancer treatments.

D．He felt sad, doing nothing.

【小題2】What was the man's main source of comfort after several months with the disease? 

A．His family and friends.

B．His belief in humanity.

C．His doctors’ encouragement.

D．The care from others.

【小題3】What did the author learn from his friend’s story?

A．Giving more respect to friends.

B．Extending life as possible.

C．Caring for yourself and enjoying luxury.

D．Getting comfort from God.

【小題4】What does the author mainly want to tell?

A．All people will face death, and thus, we must prepare for it spiritually.

B．Our characters can be strengthened by such an unpleasant situation.

C．Families provide the best support system during such a crisis.

D．People should help those who have got serious illness.

Sometimes people call each other "freaked-cat", but have you ever thought about this expression? When a cat is frightened, its heart starts beating faster, its muscles get tense, and there are changes in the chemicals in its bloodstream．Although the cat doesn't realize this, its body is getting ready for action．If the danger continues, the animal will do one of two things．It will defend itself, or it will run away as fast as it can．
Something like this also happens to people．When we are excited, angry, scared, or aroused by other emotions （feelings）, our bodies go through many physical changes．Our hearts beat faster, and our muscles get tense．All of these changes make us more alert and ready to react．We, too．get ready to defend ourselves or run．
Human beings, however, have a problem that animals never face．If we give way to our feelings and let them take over, we can get into trouble．Have you ever said something in anger —or hit somebody—and regretted it later? Have you ever shouted at a teacher, told somebody you were lonely, or said you were in love, and then wished later you had kept your mouth shut?
It isn't always clever to express your feelings freely．
Does this mean that it's smarter always to hide our feelings? No! If you keep feelings of anger, sadness, and bitterness hidden away or bottled up inside, your body stays tense．Physical illness can develop．It can actually be bad for your health．（It isn't good to keep pleasant feelings inside either; all feelings need to be expressed．）
Feelings that you keep all bottled up inside don't just go away．It's as if you bought some bananas and stuck them in a cupboard．You might not be able to see them．but before long you' d smell them．And if you opened the cupboard, chances are that you'd see little fruit flies flying all over them．They'd be rotten．
You can try to treat emotions as if they were bananas in the cupboard．You can hide them and you can pretend they don't exist, but they'll still be around．And at last you'll have to deal with them．just like those bananas．
【小題1】The best title for this article is_____．

A．Emotions Affect Our Bodies

B．What Happens to A Frightened Cat

C．What Happens to An Excited Person

D．Feelings That People Have

【小題2】What does the word "freaked" mean in the first sentence?

A．excited

B．scared

C．a(chǎn)ngry

D．shocked

【小題3】According to the passage, we may conclude that we human beings_____．

A．have fewer problems than animals

B．have the same problems as animals

C．have more problems than animals

D．have cleverer problems than animals

【小題4】If you hold in your feelings,_____．

A．gradually they'll disappear

B．they won't exist any more

C．they will fly all over

D．your body stays tense

【小題5】The author wrote this article in order to_____．

A．tell us that it isn't good to keep feelings inside

B．give us some advice on how to express our feelings

C．make us face the problem that we have to deal with feelings

D．make us know that it isn't always wise to express our feelings freely

When something goes wrong, it can be very satisfying to say, "Well, it's so-and-so's fault，"or "I know I'm late, but it's not my fault; the car broke down. " It is probably not your fault, but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation, you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to remedy the situation. This is the winner's key to success.
Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or, you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don't rely on this person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague(同事) fails to do his job well.
This is what being a winner is all about-creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don't have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situations to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So, stop focusing on "whose fault it is." Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stones for success.
【小題1】According to the passage, winners_______________.

A．deal with problems rather than blame others

B．meet with fewer difficulties in their eyes

C．have responsible and able colleagues

D．blame themselves rather than others

【小題2】 The underlined word “remedy” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to    .

A．a(chǎn)void	B．a(chǎn)ccept
C．improve	D．consider

【小題3】When your colleague brings about a problem, you should __          .

A．find a better way to deal with the problem

B．blame him for his lack of responsibility

C．tell him to find the cause of the problem

D．a(chǎn)sk a more able colleague for help

【小題4】Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．A Winner's Achievement.	B．A Winner's Problem.
C．A Winner's Opportunity.	D．A Winner's Secret.

During my elementary school years, I used to compare my mom with my best friend Tiffany’s mom.  
Tiffany’s mom always gave her lots of money to buy the most fashionable clothes and favorite food. Her mom allowed her to do anything she liked. I really admired Tiffany. My mom didn’t give me much pocket money and she always told me that I should behave myself. I was annoyed with her.
Whenever I didn’t get what I wanted, I would complain to my mom, Tiffany’s mom would give her that! I wish she were my mom. Every time, my mom would calmly say “Poor Tiffany”. I couldn’t understand her. “She shouldn’t be feeling sorry for Tiffany!” I thought. “She should be feeling sorry for me.”
One day, I couldn’t help saying to Mom, “Poor Tiffany? Lucky Tiffany! She gets everything she wants! Why do you feel sorry for her?” I burst out crying.
My mom sat down next to me and said softly. “Yes, I do feel sorry for her. I have been teaching you a lesson that she will never be taught.”
I looked up at her. “What are you talking about?”   
Mom said with care, “One day she will really want something. Maybe she’ll find out that she can’t have it. Her mother won’t always be around to give her money, and what’s more, money can’t buy everything.”  

It took some time, but I eventually understood my mom’s words. Now I am a happy and successful woman.   
【小題1】During the author’s elementary school years, she __________.

A．wished that her mom were as good as Tiffany’s

B．went to school with Tiffany every day

C．usually compared her lesson with Tiffany’s

D．sometimes gave lots of money to Tiffany

【小題2】Why did the author’s mom always say “Poor Tiffany”? 

A．She felt sorry for Tiffany because Tiffany was poor.

B．She wanted to tell a lie to comfort the author.

C．She thought that Tiffany was spoiled by her mother.

D．She told the author this and wanted her to help Tiffany.

【小題3】What do we learn about the author’s mother? 

A．She was strict and taught the author to be independent.

B．She cared for other people’s children more than her own.

C．She thought that life lessons were as important as money.

D．She was so poor that she couldn’t give the author much money.

【小題4】What can we infer from the passage? 

A．The author was quite annoyed with her mother in the past.

B．The author’s mother felt sorry for Tiffany.

C．Tiffany’s mother took the author’s mother’s advice.

D．The author is thankful to her mother now.