Comfort is comforting, but it might narrow our experience at work — and beyond.

In our modern world, discomfort is considered a terrible thing. If not terrible, it’s at least a thing of the past. Dishwashers, washing machines, computers, remote controls—yes, they add convenience, but also a level of comfort our forefathers did not enjoy.

As pain of any kind discourages happiness, we tend to reason anything that prevents us to feel good must be bad. And that’s also particularly true for our careers. Success makes us feel great, not terrible. Such a view, however, is a matter of personal opinion. And it may blind us to hidden opportunities.

Artists throughout history have tried to experience suffering, instinctively(本能地) if not consciously(有意识地), to produce works that explore the darker hidden sides of the human condition. This was done, in part, because pain is a reality of life for everybody in some form at some time. Pain is something everybody can relate to. And pain makes a person very real. For such artists, to deny pain would be to block the creative thinking, which drives them to explore and express. In fact, Germans have a term(术语) for this, “Weltschmerz”, which means “suffering from the world.” Writers, from Lord Byron to Kurt Vonnegut, have used the term to describe the psychological pain along life’s roller-coaster journey. It was not to be avoided; it was to be understood and employed.

So I believe that discomfort is good for us. Or, put another way, it tells us that something needs to be attended to. It develops us by forcing us to view our circumstances(环境) through a wholly different view. Because we’re attracted by safety and security, we do our best to create pleasant comfort zones for ourselves and our loved ones through the cars we drive, the houses we live in, and the places we work. But by resisting discomfort, we deny ourselves an important opportunity: the chance to shake ourselves out of our predictable perspectives(视角) and allow ourselves to make knowledgeable observations that we could not possibly have made before. Discomfort gives us fresh eyes.

1.Which of the following is NOT a reason why artists throughout history have been exploring sufferings?

A. Pain is a mirror that can reflect the life of everybody.

B. Pain is something that no one can escape from.

C. Pain can strengthen the feeling of existence of a person.

D. Pain can help them to avoid the creative thinking.

2.The term “Weltschmerz” couldn’t be used to describe something like __________.

A. social inequality

B. great achievements

C. racial discrimination(歧视)

D. mass killings

3.The author believes that by challenging discomfort, one may _________.

A. lose an important chance to make a big fortune

B. feel upset and fail to think calmly

C. control the situation properly when things go wrong

D. judge and think about the world in a new particular way

4. By writing this passage, the author tries to __________.

A. explain why discomfort is good for us

B. criticize(批评) a world full of comfort

C. persuade people to lead a life full of discomfort

D. blame those who enjoy an easy life

As we grow old, we realize that we have so little time to read and there are so many great books that we’ve yet to get around to.Yet re-readers are everywhere around us.For certain fans, re-reading The Lord of the Rings is a conventional practice annually.One friend told me that Jane Austen’s Emma can still surprise him, despite his having read it over 50 times.

New sudden clear understandings can be gained from the process of re-reading.Journalist Rebacca Mead, a long-time Englishwoman in New York, first came across George Eliot’s Middlemarch at 17.Since then, she has read it again every five years.With each re-reading, it has opened up further; in each chapter of her life, it has resonated (引起共鸣) differently.Mead evidenced the large number of ways in which really good books not only stand the test of repeat reads, but also offer fresh gifts each time we crack their spines.These kinds of books grow with us.

Scientists have also recognized the mental health benefits of re-reading.Research conducted with readers in the US found that on our first reading, we are concerned with the “what” and the “why”.Second time round, we’re able to better appreciate the emotions that the plot continues to express.As researcher CristelRussell of the American University explained, returning to a book “brings new or renewed appreciation of both the great book and its readers.”

It’s true that we often find former selves on the pages of old books (if we’re fond of making notes on the pages).These texts can carry us back to a time and place, and remind us of the kind of person that we were then.We’re changed not only by lived experience but also by read experience – by the books that we’ve discovered since last reading the one in our hand.

More so than the movie director or the musician, the writer calls upon our imaginations, using words to lead us to picture this declaration of love or that unfaithfulness in life.A book is a joint project between writers and readers, and we must pour so much of ourselves into reading that our own life story can become connected with the story in the book.

Perhaps what’s really strange is that we don’t re-read more often.After all, we watch our favourite films again and we wouldn’t think of listening to an album only once.We treasure messy old paintings as objects, yet of all art forms, literature alone is a largely one-time delight.A book, of course, takes up more time, but as Mead confirms, the rewards make it adequately worthwhile.

1.The two books are mentioned in Paragraph 1 mainly to __________.

A. attract the attention of readers

B. introduce the topic of the passage

C. provide some background information

D. show the similarity between re-readers

2.The underlined expression “crack their spines” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.

A. recite them

B. re-read them

C. recall them

D. retell them

3.It can be learned from the passage that __________.

A. reading benefits people both mentally and physically

B. readers mainly focus on feelings on their first reading

C. we know ourselves better through re-reading experience

D. writers inspire the same imaginations as film directors do

4.The purpose of the passage is to __________.

A. call on different understandings of old books

B. focus on the mental health benefits of reading

C. bring awareness to the significance of re-reading

D. introduce the effective ways of re-reading old books

It is not easy to find true friends.Even if you’ve connected with someone,how do you really know he is a true friend?And often you will find that someone who you thought you could trust may have let you down.There are ways you can know if a friendship is true and how you can hold onto that friend.

Generally speaking,a true friend is someone who will be there for you no matter what happens.They will stand by you through bad and good times.They will accept you for who you are without trying to change you,and they will be there to help you grow in new ways.

A true friend will keep you secrets for you trust him.They will be honest and be someone you can depend on.They will listen and be someone you can talk things over with,even if they may not have advice to share with you.

However,friendship is a two-way street.To find true friends and keep them,you must in turn be the same as well.Be there for them in their hard times and share the good times with them.Be someone your friends can depend on as well and offer them the same thing they give to you.A friendship will fall apart fast if only one person is giving and putting all the effort.If you are the only one making an effort,be honest and it works.

Actually,there will be barriers in the road but that is the test of true friendship.If it can survive those barriers,it will be stronger and better than ever.Just as St Thomas Aquinas put it,“There is nothing on this earth more prized than friendship.”

Find a True Friend

The writer’s 1.on friends

True friends 2.come by nowadays。

Those who you regarded as your friends may make you down。

Characteristics of true friendship

A true friend will 3.you whatever happens。

A true friend will keep your secrets and be a good 4.。

5.to hold friendship

6.with your friends when they are in trouble。

Be someone who your friends can 7.。

8.is the key to keep a friendship if you are the only one making efforts。

9.

True friendship can stand up to various 10.and grow stronger and better。

A Guide to the University

Food

The TWU Cafeteria is open 7am to 8pm.It serves snacks(小吃), drinks, ice cream bars and meals.You can pay with cash or your ID cards.You can add meal money to your ID cards at the Front Desk.Even if you do not buy your food in the cafeteria, you can use the tables to eat your lunch, to have meetings and to study.

If you are on campus in the evening or late at night, you can buy snacks, fast food, and drinks in the Lower Café located in the bottom level of the Gouglas Centre.This area is often used for entertainment such as concerts, games or TV watching.

Relaxation

The Globe, located in the bottom level of McMillan Hall, is available for relaxing, studying, cooking, and eating.Monthly activities are held here for all international students.Hours are 10 am to 10 pm, closed on Sundays.

Health

Located on the top floor of Douglas Hall, the Wellness Centre is committed to physical, emotional and social health.A doctor and nurse is available if you have health questions or need immediate medical help or personal advice.The cost of this is included in your medical insurance.Hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to noon and 1;00 to 4;30pm.

Academic Support

All students have access to the Writing Centre on the upper floor of Douglas Hall.Here, qualified volunteers will work with you on written work, grammar, vocabulary, and other academic skills.You can sign up for an appointment on the sign-up sheet outside the door two 30 –minute appointments per week maximum.This service is free.

Transportation

The TWU Express is a shuttle(班车) service.The shuttle transports students between campus and the shopping center, leaving from the Mattson Centre.Operation hours are between 8am and 3pm.Saturdays only.Round trip fare is $1.

1.What can you do in the TWU Cafeteria?

A. Do homework and watch TV

B. Buy drinks and enjoy concerts

C. have meals and meet with friends

D. Add money to your ID and play chess

2.Where and when can you cook your own food?

A. The McMillan Hall , Sunday.

B. The Lower Café, Sunday

C. The TWU Cafeteria, Friday

D. The Globe, Friday

3.The Guide tells us that the Wellness Centre _________.

A. is open six days a week

B. gives advice on mental health

C. trains students in medical care

D. offers services free of charge

4.How can you seek help from the Writing Center?

A. By filling in a sign-up form

B. By applying online

C. By calling the center

D. By going to the center directly

Discover South Africa from $1799 South Africa is truly a world-class destination!

16 day tour, regular departures(启程)up to November 2015

This wonderful 16-day tour is designed to highlight South Africa’s amazing diversity of cultures, its curious mixture of old and new, as well as its wonderful scenery and wildlife, together with its unique history.

Join us to experience Cape Town and the exciting Kruger safari (游猎) on our tour to South Africa.We believe that a more naturally beautiful country than South Africa would be difficult to find: from the rocky peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, to the timeless semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo and then the forested seashores and mirror-like lakes of the Garden Route, the attractive valleys of the Winelands and the symbol of the country, Table Mountain — all under an endless blue sky.Quite amazing!

Included in our price:

Return flights from London Heathrow

Three-and-four-star hotels, sharing rooms, breakfast and lunch included

Internal flight to the beautiful Garden Route

Full-day guided safari in the Kruger National Park

Visit the legendary Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, the historical Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, Apartheid Museum and Blyde River Canyon

Travel on Outeniqua steam train or go whale watching depending on the season

For more information, call 0845 155 6706.

1.On this 16-day tour, visitors might experience the _______ of South Africa.

A.history, cultures and education

B.cultures, scenery and education

C.history, scenery and education

D.history, cultures and scenery

2.What can we learn about the tour?

A.The tour is available all year round.

B.Tourists will have a single room each.

C.Tourists are sure to go whale watching.

D.Suppers are not included in the price.

3.The passage is written to _______.

A.talk about touring experiences

B.attract people to the tour

C.talk about the history of Africa

D.introduce places of interest in Africa

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