题目内容

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for family, health, and life in general. However, Black Friday has turned it into a business.

Traditionally, the true value of Thanksgiving lies at home not the shopping centers. However, Black Friday has nowadays allowed society to ignore this as individuals(个人) long for something that they do not need or even truly want. Shopping on Black Friday becomes a sign of a shift into a culture that values material wealth(财富) over spending time with loved ones. People are willing to force their way through the crowds in their desperate search for marked-down sweaters and necklaces.

In recent years, Thanksgiving has become a pre-Black Friday holiday for many families. They are devoted to mapping out shopping routes and making organized schedules for which stores to hit first. By drawing individuals out to shopping centers with "matchless savings", businesses encourage this behavior of ignoring Thanksgiving. Many families take their home-cooked meals while camping out at the door of shopping centers. With each new year, Thanksgiving is becoming victim to over-commercialized(过度商业化)society—changing from a meaningful time for family to a day devoted to products and shopping.

Black Friday has shown that with current common standards(标准), people cannot even set aside a single day to appreciate what they already have without immediately buying more. Families have lost sight of what is truly important in life, and have found reasons in debating between a low cost HD television and an appreciation for what they already have. Remember, Thanksgiving should be a day in which people are grateful for all that they have.

1.What does the underlined word "this" in paragraph 2 probably refers to?

A. The sign of a shift. B. The true value of Thanksgiving.

C. The shopping crowd. D. The material wealth.

2.In recent years, what will many families do when thanksgiving comes?

A. They’ll visit some newly-opened shopping centers in advance.

B. They’ll choose a big store for their first visit.

C. They’ll make full preparations for the Black Friday shopping.

D. They’ll go camping at the gate of shopping center for a good deal.

3.In the last paragraph, the author mainly intends to tell us that we should ______.

A. appreciate what we've possessed with our families

B. stay with our families as long as we can

C. try to spend less to get low cost products

D. set aside a single day to buy more

4.What's the author’s attitude towards the present ways people celebrate Thanksgiving?

A. puzzled B. unconcerned

C. happy D. worried

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Although people value intelligence—understanding, reasoning, the ability to learn—they also respect wisdom, or the knowledge and experience that they gain over a lifetime. In some ways, wisdom is like beauty: we value it, we desire it, we know it when we see it, but it is nearly impossible to pin down such a nice quality. 1.

1. Working at being social.

Studies show that people who stay connected to others show higher levels of wisdom than those who remain alone. 2. Next time you’re at a party or gathering, single out someone who’s standing alone; and strike up a conversation.

2. 3.

Wisdom involves being able to understand all sides of an issue without letting personal feelings gel in the way. Owning your mind means realizing that everyone has a life story that influences their actions. During the course of every day, make a note of the issues that annoy you, and take a moment to see them from the other side.

3. Learning how to say “I could be wrong”.

A wise person understands that it is impossible to know everything and that life is likely to take unexpected turns. 4. Admitting that there are times when you could be mistaken will go a long way in strengthening your fame.

4. Reading the news.

5. If you don’t already read a daily paper or news online, start by going through a single front-page article from a major respected news source.

Almost everyone has the potential to become wiser, particularly if you strengthen these habits.

A. Practicing being open-minded.

B. Sharing good news with your friends.

C. But researchers have tried and here’s what they’ve found.

D. Recognizing your errors can lead only to even greater wisdom.

E. Make an effort to join a new club, or invite an old friend for coffee.

F. You do not have to admit your mistakes if you are really unwilling to.

G. You cannot make balanced choices unless you understand world circumstances.

Guide dogs enjoy their work very much, and they get a lot of satisfaction from a job well done, but there is no room for typical dog fun during the work day. Games, treats and praise distract the dog from helping its handler navigate (指引方向) the course. Even when the handler doesn’t need assistance, a guide dog on the job is trained to ignore distractions and keep still. This is because a guide dog must be able to come to handler’s workplace or be in public places without creating a disturbance(干扰).

When you see a guide dog on the job, it is extremely important that you recognize that it is at work. Petting or talking to the dog spreads its concentration, which weakens the handler’s ability to get around in his or her surroundings. People are very impressed with guide dogs and so we have a natural inclination(倾向)to praise them, but the best thing you can do to help a guide dog is to leave it alone so that it can pay attention to its surroundings and maintain its focus on its handler. Guiding is very complicated, and it requires a dog’s undivided attention.

When a guide dog gets home at the end of the day, however, it will play and soak up praise just like an ordinary pet. Guide dogs make the difference between work and play based on their lead harness(牵狗用的皮带):When the harness is on, they must stay completely focused---- when it comes off, it’s play time. Guide dogs work very hard every day, but they lead extremely happy lives, full of lots of attention and stimulation.

Working as a guide dog requires good physical and mental shape, so guide dogs typically retire just before they enter old age. Retirement is usually at age 8 or 10; but some work for a little longer, and some guide dogs retire earlier if they’re having trouble with the work.

1.What do you think is the typical job of a guide dog?

A. Help the policemen to search for the murderer.

B. Help the blind or weak-sighted people get around .

C. Help the doctor to save the injured people.

D. Help the owner to watch their house.

2.What does the writer want to tell the readers through the passage?

A. Guide dogs are so helpful that we should make friends with them.

B. Guide dogs are different from other dogs and they have some special talents.

C. Guide dogs’ life style and job situation.

D. Guide dogs’ trained way by their handlers.

3.What does the underlined word “distract” mean in the passage?

A. to stop the dog paying attention to what he is doing

B. to make the dog think very carefully about what he is doing

C. to interrupt the dog so that he cannot do the work well

D. to stop the dog from doing something

4.What should you do when meeting with a guide dog at its job?

A. Praise it. B. Feed it.

C. Play with it. D. Leave it alone.

If you feel like you’ve been listening to the same three songs on a loop(循环地), maybe it’s time to discover some new songs. With these apps (almost all of which are free, by the way) and some patience, you might just find your new favorite songs:

Indie shuffle

Allows you to browse through lesser-known artists’ music based on genre(类型), release date and various other categories(类别). You can save songs or artists you like and find bands with similar sounds.

Rormix

Rormix searches your music library to find out what genres and artists you already listen to. Based on its findings, the app suggests music videos you might like just as much. It’s an easy way to find new artists without getting too far away from the genres you know and love.

Band of the day

Provides you with new lesser-known artists and groups to listen to every single day! Download the app, turn on notifications, and you’ll get a daily recommendation.

Bandsintown

If you live for live music, Bandsintown will automatically download your library and suggest concerts you might like based on that list. If a new concert is announced in your area, you will get an automatic e-mail with the details. Basically, you will never miss another show. Here is the best part: You can buy tickets through the app.

Soundcloud

It is the place to find up-and-coming musicians and remixed singles. Anyone can share and ad music, leading to endless possibilities. The app is a streaming(流媒体)service, online community, and creative outlet. For fans, it makes it possible to keep up with your favorite artists’ latest releases.

1.What do Indie shuffle and Band of the day have in common?

A. They can both provide lesser-known artists.

B. They can both offer live music show.

C. Downloading music is free.

D. They are the most popular.

2.Which app could give you suggestions according to what genres and artists you already listen to?

A. Indie shuffle. B. Rormix.

C. Band of the day. D. Bandsintown.

3.What do we know about Bandsintown?

A. It provides you with new lesser-known artists and groups.

B. You can save songs or artists you like.

C. It is an online community.

D. It is the favorite of those who love live music.

4.Where does the text probably come from?

A. Science fiction. B. A biography.

C. An advertisement. D. A travel guide

Hi Maz and Bobby,

I don't know what you're up to this Sunday, but if you're at a loose end, come over to my place. We're going to have a barbecue.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks mate, but I'm completely snowed under at the moment. I have to write an essay by Monday afternoon, so I'll be working all weekend. I've got nothing arranged for the following weekend though, so maybe we can meet then? I'll call you later.

Bobby

Dear Tom,

Like Bobby, I'm a bit tied up tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to go to my great uncle's house for a family lunch. He was ill so we thought it might not happen, but it looks as if it's going ahead. I really can't get out of it because it's the old man's 60th birthday and most of the family will probably be there.

Maz

Ok you guys,

I'm calling off the barbecue. Judging from the grey sky, it's going to rain all weekend anyway. Maybe you'll have done your various duties by the end of the evening and we can go for a drink instead! If you want to relax, I'll be in The Hart, a pub on King Street. Gloria and I are meeting there at about 8:30, as long as nothing else pops up! Don't forget it closes at 10:30 on Sundays.

Ok, time to put my feet up and take it easy!

Later,

Tom

1.What does Tom intend to do at first?

A. To have a family lunch.

B. To invite his friends to a barbecue.

C. To go for a drink with his friends.

D. To ask for help from his friends.

2.The underlined part "snowed under" in the second email means "________"

A. buried under snow

B. very bored

C. extremely busy

D. entirely relaxed

3.Which statement is TRUE according to the emails?

A. Bobby is not available this Sunday.

B. Maz has to visit his uncle for he is ill.

C. The barbecue will take place on time.

D. Tom will hold a party with his friends.

4.What will Tom probably do after sending the last email?

A. Prepare the barbecue.

B. Go to the pub.

C. Have a rest.

D. Call his friends.

In Korea, it is rude to wear shoes inside someone’s house because it is considered dirty. In Saudi Arabia, you should not bring food to someone’s house because taking food or drink suggests that you think the host cannot afford the meal. More and more people around the world are travelling abroad to study, to go on vacation, or to work, and while it can be a great way to learn about other cultures, there may be times when travelers accidentally annoy their host.

The same gesture can have very different meanings in different countries. The gesture meaning OK in the United States means something completely different in Brazil as Ella Yao discovered. Ella had travelled to Brazil to study and was living with a host family. During dinner, her host asked Ella if she was enjoying the meal. Because her mouth was full of food, Ella made a sign with her hand that to her meant OK. Although Ella meant the food was good, this symbol in Brazilian culture is extremely rude and her host was deeply annoyed.

While travelling in Thailand, Elizabeth Brown learned that there are differences in food in the United States and Thailand. She stopped at a small, family-owned restaurant in Chiang Mai and ordered spring rolls. She was really enjoying eating them until she got the last one and noticed that there was an insect inside. She complained to the server. Later, she discovered that although insects are disgusting to most Americans, they are considered a delicacy(佳肴) in some countries.

All these mistakes can be avoided with some research on cultural differences before you go abroad. However, if you do accidentally annoy someone, quickly apologize, and learn from your mistake.

1.For what reason did Ella make her host angry?

A. She spoke with her mouth full.

B. Her host misunderstood her gesture.

C. She didn’t like the meal her host prepared.

D. Her host didn’t like using body language.

2.What happened to Elizabeth Brown in a Thai restaurant?

A. She ate an insect. B. She was badly treated.

C. She argued with the server. D. She learned insects are welcome there.

3.What may be the best title for the text?

A. What matters B. When in Rome

C. How to be polite D. Why make mistakes

When you're lying on the white sands of the Mexican Riviera, the stresses of the world seem a million miles away. Hey, stop! This is no vacation-you have to finish something!

Here lies the problem for the travel writer and critic Edie Jarolim "I always loved traveling and always liked to eat, but it never occurred to me that I could make money doing both of those things," Jarolim said. Now you can read her travel advice everywhere-----in Arts and Antiques, in Brides, or in one of her there books, The Complete Idiot's Travel Guide to Mexican Beach Resorts.

Her job in travel writing began some eight years ago. After getting a PhD in English in Canada, she took a Test

Frommer's travel guides, passed it, and got the job. After working at Frommer's, Jarolim worked for a while at Rough Guides in London, then Fodor's, where she fell so in love with a description of the Southwest of the U.S. that she moved there.

Now as a travel writer, she spends one-third of her year on the road. The rest of the time is spent completing her tasks and writing reviews of restaurants at home in Tucson, Arizona.

As adventurous as the job sounds, the hard part is fact-checking all the information. Sure, it's great to write about a tourist attraction, but you'd better get the local museum hours correct or you could really ruin someone's vacation.

1.Which country does Jarolim live in now?

A. Mexico B. The U.S.

C. The U.K. D. Canada

2.What is most difficult for Jarolim?

A. Working in different places to collect information

B. Checking all the facts to be written in the guides

C. Finishing her work as soon as possible

D. Passing a test to write travel guides

3.What do we know about Jarolim from the text?

A. She is successful in her job

B. She finds her life full of stresses

C. She spends half of her time traveling

D. She is especially interested in museums

4.What would be the best title for the text?

A. Adventures in Travel Writing

B. Working as a Food Critic

C. Travel Guides on the Market

D. Vacationing for a Living

Lazy people will never achieve anything in life.However,laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

1.Many people lack sleep constantly,since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home.Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things.By adjusting yow sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest,you can fight laziness throughout the day.

Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active.Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from project to project.Others take a more proactive approach,viewing each project or task as a challenge they must overcome alone.2.

Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations that surround them.A television in the living room may provide entertainment,but watching too much TV often promotes laziness3.Complete a certain number of chores and reward yourself with a good dinner or a film.

Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home.Couples and children may all have different energy levels,but laziness can be spread if not dealt with quickly.4.Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal.Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own chores.It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

5.Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle,thus enabling you to have more energy and help boost your mood.

A.Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

B.Om way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

C.Finally,taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

D.With strong determination,you will be able to achieve your goal.

E.Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

F.Create a reward system for yourself,just as parents do for the children.

G.To fight household laziness,set an example.

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