Conventional wisdom is a major barrier to innovation (创新) that threatens the survival of companies everywhere. It’s based on the assumption that old ideas will always work, so they shouldn't be challenged. While this may be a valid assumption in situations that don't change, it’s unlikely to hold true in a changing situation. In today’s rapid changing global environment, old methods often don’t work, and stubbornly using them can lead to major problems.

Most people seem to agree with conventional wisdom because it gives one a false sense of security. If everyone else believes it, then it must be true. Individuals who use conventional wisdom are certain that they are right, and being right is good. They want to continue using old ideas rather than take risks with changes that might not work. In 1977, Ken Olsen, co-founder and CEO of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), stated “There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.” Despite being a dominant leader in the computer industry, DEC no longer exists. People seem to forget that since innovation is a change, there can be no innovation without change. Unfortunately, conventional wisdom prevents leaders, followers and companies from changing and therefore innovating. If companies don’t innovate, but their competitors do, the future is likely to be problematic. Breaking from conventional wisdom has led to many of the most innovative companies and products in history across many industries, so it has a powerful effect on business success.

Ted Turner (founder of CNN) knew little, if anything, about the news business, but he knew it was inconvenient to watch news only at the dinner hour, as was common before CNN. Turner's solution was to create a cable channel dedicated to news 24 hours a day. The news establishment reflected conventional wisdom at the time, and predicted his idea would fail because no one wanted to watch the news all day. However, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that viewers don’t have to watch the news all day for the CNN to work. Viewers just have to watch when they want to get information. Due to conventional thinking, the critics failed to recognize the opportunity that was clear to Ted. They assumed that only what was familiar to them could work in the future.

Conventional wisdom prevents creativity, flexibility and risk-taking, so unconventional leaders enthusiastically break from it. To survive, thrive and maintain competitive advantage, companies must be flexible when reacting to change.

1.The author's attitude to conventional wisdom is .

A. disapproving B. approving

C. supportive D. indifferent

2.DEC has disappeared probably because .

A. the consumers didn’t like its products

B. the CEO stuck to the conventional ideas

C. the leaders lacked the sense of security.

D. the employees took many risks with changes

3.The founding of CNN is used as an example to prove .

A. missing opportunities could lead to failure

B. changing could contribute to business success

C. watching news at the dinner hour is convenient

D. conventional wisdom influences business success

4.What does the underlined part probably mean in Paragraph 3?

A. Rocket scientists can ensure the CNN works properly.

B. Most of the viewers don’t like to watch the news at work.

C. It’s necessary to understand when people watch the news.

D. It’s easy to know people needn't watch the news all the time.

5.The passage is mainly written to tell us that .

A. old methods are changing with time

B. opportunities lead to business success

C. conventional wisdom limits innovation

D. successful companies need wise leaders

Your children are watching you. 1. According to the Health Program,developing healthy habits is an important part for your children. And when it comes to developing healthy habits, parents influence their children more than anyone else.

2. What happens during those early years can influence children for the rest of their lives. This includes some eating and exercise habits. Children are very careful, even at a young age. Children watch what others do carefully and imitate the behaviors of those closest to them. As parents, you should do the following: 3. If you do that, your children are more likely to be enthusiastic about developing theirs.

Let your children see you taking care of your own physical health by eating fruits and vegetables. Talk to them about healthy habits in appropriate terms and at a proper time. 4.

5. Computers,televisions and other forms of technology are a major part of life in the 21st century. Unfortunately, as the use of technology in the home increases, so docs the time spent watching TV or playing on the computer. So as parents, you should also arrange the time for your children wisely.

A. Take part in physical activities and exercise regularly.

B. Don’t get rid of technology, but use it wisely.

C. Be enthusiastic about developing healthy habits of your own.

D. Your actions arc speaking to them louder than your words will.

F. Children prefer to imitate their parents rather than listen to them.

F. This can be helpful to teach your children to form good eating habits.

G. It s easy for the children to form their healthy habits when they arc young.

For most people, running one full marathon is quite challenging, but for 33-year-old Rob Young, it is merely a short warm-up. This British man _______ 370 marathons last year, which meant that he ran _______one marathon per day.

It all _______as a bet with his wife on a Sunday night when they watched the TV coverage of the London Marathon. April 2014, as they watched the TV coverage of the London Marathon. In fact, Young had been _______ to sitting comfortably on a sofa watching TV rather than going out for a walk. Obviously, he wasn't very interested in running at the time, and he even considered it _______

When his wife _______ him by saying that he couldn't run marathons at all, even if he tired. Yong felt this had _______ him badly, so he replied that he would _______her some money if he couldn't run.

The next morning, he _______at 3.30 am, printed out the route, and completed one marathon before work. He felt so good that he ________doing it every day, and had run the ________ equivalent to 10 marathons during that week.

Before long, Yong was addicted to running. He ________ all of last year’s 365 days running marathons. Since January, 2015, Yong has completed several________. He won the Trans-American Footrace, a 6-month long competition, with a ________ time of 482 hours and 10 minutes. He ________the world record for the worth's longest run without sleep.

Having ________so much already, Young now hopes to use his running to test the ________ of human endurance. “I’d like to find something that’s challenging." he said. “I’d like to ________the Arctic Circle and the North Pole. There is only a certain time of the year when people have________ to do it, but I will try.”

He added, "For me, nothing is ________It's only a test."

1.A. contained B. completed C. resolved D. competed

2.A. as well B. as much as C. more than D. close to

3.A. started B. acted C. served D. treated

4.A. devoted B. related C. exposed D. accustomed

5.A. boring B. charming C. terrifying D. disgusting

6.A. bullied B. flattered C. inspired D. teased

7.A. shacked B. hurt C. scared D. blamed

8.A. contribute B. occupy C. lose D. win

9.A. showed up B. took over C. woke up D. kept on

10.A. stuck to B. gave up C. burst into D. put on

11.A. circles B. distance C. games D. competition

12.A. spent B. wasted C. undertook D. organized

13.A. alternatives B. performances C. challenges D. consequences

14.A. valid B. tough C. steady D. total

15.A. applied B. broke C. supported D. struggled

16.A. achieved B. seized C. abandoned D. dreamed

17.A. borders B. expectations C. limits D. implication

18.A. turn over B. hold out C. make up D. run across

19.A. direction B. trend C. obligation D. chance

20.A. unpleasant B. impossible C. negative D. dangerous

Famous resorts (度假胜地) on the earth

Maldives

Maldives is famed as the last paradise (乐园) on the earth. It’s made up of more than 1,800 coral islands, spreading over a sea area of about 90 thousand square kilometers on the Indian Ocean. People in Maldives believe in Islam. They must observe the religious rules strictly. However, tourists don’t need to follow these customs inside hotels, but they must do as the locals when they enter the community of the local people.

Jeju Island

Jeju Island, also known as the “Islands of the Gods”, is the biggest island of South Korea. It is a volcanic island with a pleasant climate. Its yearly average temperature is 16℃, which makes it the most attractive vacation stop in Northeast Asia. It has gained fame as a shopping paradise. Here all the luxury (奢侈品) brands are free of duty. Every summer thousands of tourists come here to look for the gods, enjoy the coolness of the gentle sea breeze and buy cheap luxuries.

Phuket Island

Phuket Island, the biggest island of Thailand, is called a pearl on the Indian Ocean. It is world-famous for its beautiful beaches. Some are quiet and tourist-friendly, and some are as luxurious as personal vacation beaches. Some are famous for sea sports, and some are attractive to lovers of evening entertainments. Therefore, you’ll have a good time here whether you’re single or accompanied by your friends.

Hayman Island

Hayman Island, a secret vacation island, is one of the coral islands that make up the Great Barrier Reef. Every year thousands of tourists come here to admire the beauty of the tropic sea and the charming scene of the Great Barrier Reef. However, they seldom see any waiters and waitresses around as they work in and travel through a special tunnel (通道). This is why it’s called the most secret resort.

1.If you intend to do some shopping besides sightseeing, __________ maybe is your best choice.

A. Maldives B. Phuket Island

C. Jeju Island D. Hayman Island

2.Tourists should __________ in Maldives when getting out of the hotels.

A. follow the local rules

B. watch out for sharks

C. stay in secret tunnels

D. stay away from the local people

3.Phuket Island is regarded as __________ by tourists.

A. the Islands of the Gods

B. a pearl on the Indian Ocean

C. a secret vacation island

D. the last paradise on the earth

4.Tourists think Hayman Island is secret because __________.

A. they are strictly limited within the hotel

B. they aren’t allowed to swim in the sea

C. they are forbidden to bargain in the market

D. they can’t meet servants around them

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