There is a famous story about British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He was writing a poem when he was interrupted by a knock at the door.

This was an age before telephones. Someone was delivering a message. When Coleridge got back to his poem, he had lost his inspiration. His poetic mood had been broken by the knock on his door. His unfinished poem, which could otherwise have been a masterpiece, would now never be more than a fragment.

This story tells how unexpected communication can destroy an important thought, which bring us to the cellphone.

The most common complaint about cellphones is that people talk on them to the annoyance of people around them. But more damaging may be the cellphone’s interruption of our thoughts.

We have already entered a golden age of little white lies about our cellphones, and this is by and large(大体上)a healthy, protective development. “I didn’t hear it ring” or “I didn’t realize my phone had shut off” are among the lies we tell to give ourselves space where we’re beyond reach.

The notion of being unreachable is not a new concept—we have “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doors of hotel rooms. So why must we feel guilty when it comes to cellphones? Why must we apologize if we decide to shut off the phone for a while?

Now time alone, or a conversation with someone next to us which cannot be interrupted by a phone, is something to be cherished. Even cellphone devotees(信徒), myself usually included, can’t help at times wanting to throw their phone away, or curse the day they were invented.

But we don’t and won’t, and there really is no need. All that’s required to take back our private time is a general social recognition that we have the right to it. In other words, we have to develop a healthy contempt(轻视) for the rings of our own phones.

A cellphone call deserves no greater priority(优先考虑的事) than a random(随机的) word from the person next to us,though the call on my cellphone may be the one-in-a-million from Steven Spielberg—who has finally read my novel and wants to make it his next movie. But most likely it is not, and I’m better off thinking about the idea I just had for a new story, or the slice of pizza I’ll eat for lunch.

1.What is the point of the anecdote about the poet Coleridge in the first three paragraphs?

A.To direct readers’ attention to the main topic.

B.To show how important inspiration is to a poet

C.To emphasize the disadvantage of not having a cellphone

D.To encourage readers to read the works of this poet.

2.What does the writer think about people telling “white lies” about their cellphones?

A.It is a way of signaling that you don’t like the caller.

B.It is natural to tell lies about small things

C.It is basically a good way to protect one’s privacy.

D.We should feel guilty when we can’t tell the truth.

3.According to the author, what is the most annoying problem caused by cellphones?

A.People get so obsessed(着迷) with the cellphone rings that they fail to notice anything else.

B.People feel guilty when they are not able to answer their cellphones.

C.Cellphones interrupt people’s private time.

D.With cellphones it is no longer possible to be unreachable.

4.What does the last paragraph suggest?

A.A person who calls us from afar deserves more of our attention

B.Steven Spielberg once called the author to talk about the author’s novel.

C.You should always finish your lunch before you answer a call on the cellphone.

D.Never let cellphones disturb your life too much.

 

When I decided to get married, my father decided to share some wisdom. “Lori, it is just as easy to love a rich man as it is to love a poor man, “ he said. My boyfriend didn’t have much money, but I loved him. “What?” I cried. “ How can you say that? I want to marry for love, NOT for money.” “ But why not marry someone you love who has money?” he asked. “Rich men are materialistic(物质主义的). I’d rather marry a poor man who loves me,” I said and he gave in.

And as we went on, with my family growing, I learned why my father put such importance on money. We had to cover the rent, car, electricity, food, and medical bills. We were under lot of pressure. The worries over whether we would be asked to move out or if we had the money to wash our clothes at the Laundromat this week made me question if I did the right thing by marrying a “poor” man.

I realized that I had entered the ranks of the poor. Not that I’d ever been rich. Most of my life, I considered us in the lower middle-class rank. We had a house of our own, food on the table, cars, clothes, and money for college. But now, as I listened to an apartment neighbour talk about her monthly “Mother’s Day” gift, I realized she was talking about her welfare check(政府发放的救济金). And another young mother tried to “help” me out by connecting me with a friend who stole baby clothes from a department store. “ For a small cut,” she said, “ I could return my ‘purchase’(购买的东西)for cash.” It made me sick. How poor was I?

I had a college education but wasn’t using it. I insisted on not missing a minute of our children’s childhood and it came at a price. My husband was working as hard as he could and it wasn’t enough. But somehow we made it.

The kids grew. Today, we look back and see the great values gained by going through those hard years. My children are not materialistic. They never thought they were poor growing up because we always managed to give a little bit of food, money, or clothes to the “poor”. They were satisfied with the simple things in life that come free such as a beach day or a horse back ride from their dad.

We had our worries, but we still treasured our very favorite part of the day when we’d nest (栖息地)under the covers and talked about our future, the kids and how much we loved each other. Sure our financial(财政的) troubles caused a lot of fights, but we didn’t leave each other. We began to live a better life. We moved to a better community(社区)with good schools for the kids. And soon, we’ll face a new challenge with wealth. But we’ll never give up.

My father died three years ago. Before he died, he knew I made the right choice. I’m proud of my decision.

1..The writer argued with her father because _________________.

A.she thought her father didn’t love her at all

B.her father thought her boyfriend was too materialistic

C.her father wanted her to marry a rich man while she didn’t

D.she thought her father loved her boyfriend’s money more than him.

2..After getting married, the writer questioned if she had done the right thing to marry her husband because___________.

A.she was often scolded(责骂)by her father

B.she found her husband was irresponsible(不负责任的)

C.he didn’t think her husband loved her deeply

D.they lived a poor life with children to support

3..After their children were born, the writer_______________.

A.often regretted not using her college education

B.worked very hard in order to make more money

C.had to steal baby clothes from a department store

D.looked after her children as a professional (职业的,专业的)housewife

4.. Why didn’t the writer’s children think they were poor growing up?

A.Because the writer always gave them whatever they wanted

B.Because the writer and her children often helped other people.

C.Because the writer didn’t let her children play with their rich neighbours

D.Because the writer let her children have a good life through receiving help from others.

5..What do you think is the theme(主题)of the story?

A.Women should always make a decision by themselves

B.Listening to the old is important when people get married

C.Money doesn’t matter as much as love in marriage

D.Children don’t mind whether they have a poor family or not

 

 

The key to happiness is how quickly you can get back your focus on what’s important.

                                                       -----Anonymous

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, who almost caused a big accident, started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do any more."

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about. The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here's my bet. You'll be happier. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't.

1. What happened one day when the author was taking a taxi?

A. The taxi almost hit another car.

B. The taxi driver was injured.

C. The author scolded the driver of the other car.

D. The author learned a lesson from the driver of the garbage truck.

2. How did the taxi driver respond to the behaviour of the driver of the black car?

A. He yelled back at the driver.         

B. He sent the driver to the hospital.

C. He was friendly towards the driver.     

D. He dumped some garbage in front of his car.

3. What does the taxi driver think of people according to Paragraph 3?

A. Many people like to drive garbage trucks.

B. Many people dump garbage wherever they like.

C. Many people are warm-hearted to make others happy.

D. Many people tend to be very much depressed.

4. What can we infer from Paragraph 4?

A. The author used to have a lot of garbage trucks.

B. The author used to complain a lot.

C. The author used to have a lot of money.

D. The author used to be a good manager.

5. According to the passage, what should you do if people “dump garbage” on you?

A. Ignore them and go on with our own work.

B. Try our best to persuade them not to do that again.

C. Tell them to dump the garbage in the right place.

   D. Take over their work and carry the garbage to somewhere else.

 

The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. I had my arms full of books and I was tearing into the classroom when 1 ran into something solid. It was Carlos.

“My God, you’re tall,” he said.

Of course, the class began to laugh. Angry, I walked to my seat without a word.

I glanced back to see if Reed Harrington was laughing with the rest. That would be the last straw. But Reed was studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. I didn’t know why I considered Reed my friend. Maybe just because he was a good two inches taller than I. Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and made a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington.

“Take that seat,” Mr. McCarthy told the cocky newcomer Carlos,pointing to the only empty one,in the back of the room.

Carlos laughed widely. “But I need a couple of dictionaries.” Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos,not at him. He had been here only 10 minutes and already he had them on his side.

The bell rang for classes. As I stood up to go, I saw Carlos coming toward me. “ I’ sorry I embarrassed you,” he said. I looked straight head over the top of his black hair. “That’s all right.”

    “ I ought to know better.” He was still blocking my way.” What’s your name?” “Karen Forbes.” “ You probably heard me say I’m Carlos Herrera.” He held out his hand. Unwillingly, I shook hands with him. He looked up at me seriously with his brown eyes.” “ I don’t see why you’re so touchy.”

    I brushed by him and said sharply, “You wouldn’t understand.”

    He followed me a few steps. “I’m just the one who should, Karen,” he said. “ You and I have a lot in common.”

    It was the school elections that made me think of Carlos again. Reed Harrington was voted president and Carlos vice-president. “How come?” I kept asking myself,” How come this shrimp who’s only been in town for a little over a month gets to be so popular?”

    So that morning,I stopped Carlos and said,“It doesn’t seem to bother you — being short.” He looked up at me, “Of course I mind being short. But there isn’t anything I can do about it. When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin,I just decided to make the best of it and concentrate on being myself.” “You seem to get along great,” I admitted, “But what about me? Nobody wants to date a girl taller than he is.” “The trouble with you is that you’re afraid to be yourself. You’re smart. And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be more than pretty.” I felt myself turning red…

1.The author was angry because ________.

A.the class made fun of her                    B.Carlos was too rude to her

C.she had to carry many books                D.Reed Harrington didn’t date her

2.Which of the following about Carlos is NOT TRUE?

A.He was popular.                                        B.He was new in the school.

C.He was shorter than the author.            D.He was chosen president in the school elections. 

3.The underlined word “ touchy” in paragraph 8 probably means________

A. moved              B. cheerful           C. curious      D. annoyed

4.We can infer from Paragraph 4 that the author ________.

A. cared much about Reed’s attitude        B. hoped Reed was laughing with others

C. thought Reed was the same as others      D. couldn’t stand Carlos playing tricks on her

5.According to the text, which is the most likely ending?

A.Carlos and Reed became very good friends

B.Carlos and the author argued with each other.

C.The author changed her attitude towards Carlos.

D.Carlos was elected president of the student committee.

 

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