Everyone knows you must exercise regularly to keep good health.Indeed, staying physically fit is a big part of our culture, we consider(or rightly so)that healthy people are attractive people.Since most of us want to be attractive, there is no shortage of exercise clubs, training videos, magazines and books offering to help us stay physically fit.
Unfortunately, however, our culture doesn't place the same emphasis(
重视)on mental fitness.Although we tend to like men and women with strong, healthy-looking bodies, we don't have the same degree of respect or attraction for smart, educated, mentally healthy people.This is a pity, because there are great rewards for people who have developed the ability to think well.
If your mind is well trained and flexible(
灵活的), you will be able to understand a great deal of what happens around you.And if you are also well educated-that is, if you understand basic science, mathematics, music, art, literature, history and so on-you will find it much easier to make good decisions throughout your life.Over the long run, this leads to a sense of control over your destiny(命运)and a much better life than otherwise(in another way).
People who are poorly educated or who don't think well-that is, people who are not mentally fit-see things differently.Their world is controlled by mysterious, often malevolent(
恶意的)forces.Such people live within a system they will never master, forced to follow rules they will never understand.Although it may not be obvious, most spend their lives being manipulated(控制)by others.They are told what to do, what to think, how to spend their money, and what they should and should not aspire(渴望)to in life.
In my opinion, if you want to live well, you must be able to use your mind well.For this reason, I want you to be able to concentrate, to solve problems, to understand complex ideas, and to think clearly and quickly.Such skills will make it easier for you to make informed decisions, understand current events, choose good friends, manage your money well, make wise long-term decisions and appreciate music, art and literature.
The key to developing such skills is to enjoy learning, and to have the ability and motivation to teach yourself.
(1)
The writer of the passage feels disappointed that ________.
[ ]
A.
too little has been done to help people to keep physically fit
B.
too much has been done to help people to keep physically fit
C.
mentally healthy people are not as popular as physically healthy people
D.
physically healthy people are not as popular as mentally healthy people
(2)
The underlined word “this” in the 3rd paragraph means ________.
[ ]
A.
the understanding of a great deal of what goes on around you
B.
the understanding of basic science and mathematics
C.
good training in body and mind
D.
being able to make good decisions in life
(3)
The writer of this passage thinks those who are not mentally fit ________.
[ ]
A.
live a poor and mysterious life
B.
can't control over their life
C.
often do what others do
D.
enjoy being fooled and ruled
(4)
The best title of the passage will most probably be ________.
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?