“Image is everything.” An entire industry has been built upon the assumption that image is everything, but when it comes down to it, an appealing image is not enough. If there is no substance(事实) behind the image, the product, service or person will fail eventually.

First of all, one should consider how important image is in the selling of products and services. Advertising agencies have raised the art of creating an image to a state of near perfection. Public concept of that product or service is certainly managed by the images created by the advertising agencies. But if the product or service does not live up to the image that was created, the customer will be very dissatisfied and possibly ask for their money back. For example, the Arthur Andersen accounting firm had spent decades building up an image of trustworthiness. But the recent scandal (丑闻) showed that behind that image, it cheated in business practices. Despite the previous positive image, the firm is being accused of criminal actions and it will probably not survive as a business unit. Although the image had been nearly perfect, the reality behind the image has led to the downfall of the world famous accounting firm.

Similarly, personal advisers can build up a public image for politicians and movie stars. Putting out positive news releases, making sure that only the best photographs are published, and ensuring that the person is seen in all the right places can build up a very positive image in the view of the general commons. But once again, history is filled with examples of both politicians and movie stars that fell from grace like the story of the Hollywood actor giving in to the pressures of fame and fortune. With people, just as with products and services, image is certainly important, but without positive substance behind the image, failure is close.

To summarize, it is clear that an appealing image is extremely important to success, whether that image is related to selling a product or service or to the “selling” of a person. But image is only half of the equation. What lies behind that image is every bit as important as the image itself —— the person or product must deliver on that image or there is little chance for long-term success.

The downfall of the Arthour Andersen accounting firm is due to ________.

A. its dishonesty in business                    B. its previous images

C. its bad management                            D. its poor service

Why did some famous people fall from grace?

A. Their images were not well built up     B. They failed to live up to their images.

C.They felt much pressure from the public  D. They paid little attention to fame and fortune.

The structure of the passage is ________.

A: Argument                 P: Point                 C: Conclusion

The author tries to argue that _________.

A. image creates everything                 B. image is the key to success

C. truth is unlikely ever to be equalled    D. truth and image are equally important

“Image is everything.” An entire industry has been built upon the assumption that image is everything, but when it comes down to it, an appealing image is not enough.If there is no substance(事实) behind the image, the product, service or person will fail eventually.
First of all, one should consider how important image is in the selling of products and services.Advertising agencies have raised the art of creating an image to a state of near perfection.Public concept of that product or service is certainly managed by the images created by the advertising agencies.But if the product or service does not live up to the image that was created, the customer will be very dissatisfied and possibly ask for their money back.For example, the Arthur Andersen accounting firm had spent decades building up an image of trustworthiness.But the recent scandal (丑闻) showed that behind that image, it cheated in business practices.Despite the previous positive image, the firm is being accused of criminal actions and it will probably not survive as a business unit.Although the image had been nearly perfect, the reality behind the image has led to the downfall of the world famous accounting firm.
Similarly, personal advisers can build up a public image for politicians and movie stars.Putting out positive news releases, making sure that only the best photographs are published, and ensuring that the person is seen in all the right places can build up a very positive image in the view of the general commons.But once again, history is filled with examples of both politicians and movie stars that fell from grace like the story of the Hollywood actor giving in to the pressures of fame and fortune.With people, just as with products and services, image is certainly important, but without positive substance behind the image, failure is close.
To summarize, it is clear that an appealing image is extremely important to success, whether that image is related to selling a product or service or to the “selling” of a person.But image is only half of the equation.What lies behind that image is every bit as important as the image itself —— the person or product must deliver on that image or there is little chance for long-term success.
【小题1】The downfall of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm is due to ________.

A.its dishonesty in businessB.its previous images
C.its bad managementD.its poor service
【小题2】Why did some famous people fall from grace?
A.Their images were not well built up
B.They failed to live up to their images.
C.They felt much pressure from the public
D.They paid little attention to fame and fortune.
【小题3】The structure of the passage is ________.
A: Argument              P: Point               C: Conclusion

【小题4】The author tries to argue that _________.
A.image creates everythingB.image is the key to success
C.truth is unlikely ever to be equaledD.truth and image are equally important


D
Some people may be born happy, while others are genetically negative, scientists have suggested in a study published late February in a British journal.
Earlier research had already established that the gene known as 5-HTTLPR plays a key role in determining how the neurotransmitter (神经传递素) serotonin works within the brain. Serotonin, a hormone (荷尔蒙), passes chemical messages between nerve cells. It has been closely linked to mood. Several anti-depressant (抗抑郁) drugs regulate serotonin levels.
Scientists had also identified three variants (变体) of the gene. Two so-called “short” variants were linked to a higher risk of depression and suicide (自杀) attempts. Unlike the two “short” variants, the “long” variant of 5-HTTLPR showed a clear dislike of negative images, such as fierce animals, and a clear liking for positive ones, such as flowers.
Researchers from the University of Essex in Britain showed participants a series of images, which were divided into three kinds: negative ones aimed at inspiring fear or stress such as a snake or person about to commit suicide, pleasant ones and neutral (中性的) ones.
The participants who had the long variant of the 5-HTTLPR gene “showed a clear dislike of negative material alongside a careful attention for positive material,” the researchers found. They paid close attention to the pretty pictures, and ignored the frightening ones. On the other hand, the short variant groups had the opposite reaction.
In January, the Australian government organized “happiness workshops”, teaching government staff how to be happy. The department that held the “happiness workshops” said unhappy staff weren’t productive staff.
Australian political opposition parties have argued that the “happiness workshops” are probably a waste of money and couldn’t increase productivity as intended. However, whether the workshop will have a happy or disappointing result, we will have to wait and see.
71. Various kinds of images were shown to the participants to        .
A. draw their attention
B. cater to their different tastes
C. find out about their reactions
D. teach them to improve their artistic appreciation
72. The “short” variants of 5-HTTLPR differ from the “long” variants of 5-HTTLPR in that_____.
A. the former is connected with positive mood while the latter negative
B. the former is connected with negative mood while the latter positive
C. the former has a greater effect on one’s mood than the latter
D. the latter has a greater effect on one’s mood than the former
73. Which of the following statements is true about “happiness workshops”?
A. Most people believe that they are a waste of money.
B. They will be beneficial in the long run.
C. The purpose of “happiness workshops” is to teach all Australians to be happy.
D. They are organized in the belief that happy staff can work more efficiently.
74. It can be learned from the article that        .
A. drugs can be used to control people’s serotonin levels
B. happiness is more important than sadness
C. nothing can affect our mood
D. people with the short variant of 5-HTTLPR prefer a flower to a snake
75. The article is mainly about        .
A. the reason for the foundation of “happiness workshops”
B. the link between people’s mood and their gene
C. the study on people’s likes and dislikes
D. the differences in people’s attitude towards life

BERLIN(AP)—A tiger escaped its enclosure at Cologne Zoo in western Germany on Saturday and killed a female keeper before being shot dead by the zoo’s directorpolice said.

The tiger slipped through a passage between the enclosure and a neighboring storage buildingwhere it fatally attacked the 43?year?old keepersaid police spokesman Stefan Kirchner.

“It appears the gate wasn’t properly shut” Kirchner told the Associated Press.

The zoo was evacuated and a SWAT(特警) team was called inpolice said.But before it arrived the zoo’s director managed to kill the tiger by climbing onto the storage building and shooting it through a skylight using a rifle.

Kirchner said it was unlikely that members of the public had witnessed the incident.“This is the darkest day of my life” the zoo’s directorTheo Pagelwas quoted as saying by Cologne newspaper Express.

The paper said on its website that the Siberian tiger was a 4?year?old male called Tltai that came to Cologne Zoo from an animal park in England.In November it fathered three cubs with a 7?year?old Siberian tiger called Hanyaaccording to the zoo’s website.

Police said the zoo reopened after Saturday’s incidentwhich occurred around noon.Howevera planned late?night opening of the zoo has been canceled.

Cologne Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Germany.It was founded in 1860 and houses some 10,000 animals comprising more than 700 different species.

1.Which of the following can be the best title of the news text?

ATiger EscapedKilled a Keeper in German Zoo

BTiger Escaped in German ZooShot Dead

CGerman Zoo Keeper Shot Escaped Tiger

DPeople Killed in One of the Oldest Zoos in Germany

2.According to the policewhat was the direct reason for the incident?

AThe zoo keeper was a new hand.

BA gate was not closed appropriately.

CThe zoo had neglected the secret passage.

DIt was very dark when the incident happened.

3.What did the zoo do after the incident?

AThey honored the killed person in a way.

BThey paid SWAT for their timely help.

CThey returned the tiger’s three cubs to England.

DThey called off the late?night opening.

4.What can we learn about the Cologne Zoo?

AIt keeps a large variety of species.

BIt is one of the largest zoos in Germany.

CIt has a history of more than 700 years.

DNo such incident has happened before.

 

The hardworking blacksmith Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard-working was he that at times he would make the sparks(火星) fly from his hammer.

     The son of Mr.Smith, a rich neighbour, used to come to see the blacksmith every day and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked.

     “ Young man, why don’t you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks (钉) , even if it is only to pass the time ? ” said the blacksmith. “ Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you .”

     The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.

     Old Mr. Smith died and the son on account of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and was forced to live in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers’ shoes.

     Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in the workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.

     “ How funny it seems, ” he used to say, “ even making tacks can make money. My trade is more useful to me than all my former riches.”

1.The young man learnt to make shoe tacks because ___________.

   A. his father told him to             B. he wanted to learn a skill

   C. Jones encouraged him to          D. he just wanted to pass his time

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

   A. Old Mr. Smith enjoyed making the shoe tacks.

   B. The blacksmith had predicted the young man would be in need of the skill.

   C. The higher prices they paid, the more tacks the shoemakers would get.

   D. The young man earned his living by his skills learnt when he was young.

3.What can we learn from the story ?

   A. Practice makes perfect.        

 B. Skill makes life easy.

   C. A good beginning makes good ending.

   D. Every man has his gift.

 

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