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.
【小题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.
【小题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.
【小题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.
【小题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.

Dear Betty,

My roommate’s family wants me to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with them in their home. I accepted the invitation, and I’m excited about going, but I’m a little nervous about it, too. The social customs in my country are different from those here, so I’m a little worried about making mistakes.

    Should I bring a gift, such as candy or flowers? Should I arrive on time or a little late? At the dinner table, how can I know which fork or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?

Yours,

Knowing Nothing

Dear Knowing Nothing,

It’s a good idea to bring a gift when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always welcome, or you can bring a bottle of wine if you know the family drink it.

    You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.

    Try to relax at the dinner table. If you don’t know how to use the right fork, knife or spoon, just watch the other guests, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, don’t be shy about asking the person next to you; it’s better to ask them than to be silently uncomfortable and nervous.

     If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank the host and hostess for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a card to thank them the day after.

Yours,

Betty

1.Knowing Nothing wrote a letter to Betty to _____.

A. tell Betty some good news          B. ask for some advice

C. answer some questions                      D. invite her to dinner

2.According to Betty, Knowing Nothing ______ when going to a dinner party.

A. can only bring some flowers

B. can’t bring wine

C. should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late

D. should arrive twenty minutes late

3.Betty does NOT advise Knowing Nothing to _____.

A. relax at the dinner table                B. watch the other guests

C. ask the person beside him              D. keep silent at table

 

I was late for the school bus and rushing to get ready. My dog, Tippy, got to the front door and lay down in front of it – his way of asking to be petted. I______his begging for affection (喜爱), and ran for the waiting bus.

______, that afternoon, when I came home, Mom said to me______, “Honey, I have some______news that I need to tell you. This morning, while you were at school, Tippy was hit by a car and______. I’m so sorry.”

“No! It’s not true!” I was______. I couldn’t believe her. “Tippy, come here! Come on, boy!” I called and called for him. I waited. He didn’t come. Feeling______, I wandered into the living room. I didn’t cry that night. I still couldn’t believe that he was______.

When I got off the bus the next day, the silence at home was deafening.   , my sobs (哭泣) erupted (喷发) like lava (熔岩) from a volcano. I couldn’t stop______. I hadn’t even petted him when I left.______could I have known that was my last chance? I cried until I felt empty inside.

Time passed, and against my will, I started to______some things. I realized what little control any of us have over what happens ______ a dog. We can do everything right, but______things can still happen. But good things can happen too. That’s______. The best way to deal with the hard times is to understand what you   and get them through when they come, and to remember that hard times always______.

I now deeply understand the “circle of life”. Everyone is born, everyone______, and that’s the way it is. If dogs never died, there would be no______for others like Belle – my new dog.

Best of all, I realized that Tippy______all of my old memories of him. And they come to me every time I call!

1.A.met          B.ignored       C.promised   D.preferred

2.A.However          B.Besides        C.Therefore D.Finally

3.A.excitedly          B.quickly         C.reliably       D.seriously

4.A.good        B.sad      C.dull    D.happy

5.A.escaped B.wounded    C.killed           D.knocked

6.A.in disagreement      B.in anger

C.in silence   D.in shock

7.A.upset        B.sleepy          C.spellbound          D.uncertain

8.A.gone        B.missing        C.alive   D.stolen

9.A.Entirely   B.Actually       C.Finally         D.Frequently

10.A.waiting B.crying C.thinking      D.expecting

11.A.Why       B.What  C.Which         D.How

12.A.forget   B.recall  C.understand         D.change

13.A.to           B.about  C.out     D.into

14.A.surprising      B.bad     C.amazing      D.amusing

15.A.nature B.human         C.life     D.rule

16.A.came through         B.went through

C.looked through D.watch through

17.A.disappear       B.overcome   C.help   D.pass

18.A.grows    B.lives    C.suffers        D.dies

19.A.chance           B.room  C.possibility   D.doubt

20.A.thought of      B.brought up C.left behind          D.picked up

 

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JOB OFFERED

EL house is a well-known English learning center for primary and high school students. We are looking for native English teachers who can teach the following subject (s) to our students who are planning to study abroad. The incumbent should fulfill the following requirements:

—Experienced in exam preparations (TOEFL, IELTS,SAT)

—Degree holder

—Experienced in teaching either mathematics, physics or business

——Excellent command of English in both oral and written

—Experienced in teaching higher academic level English

——Native English teachers or Bilingual teachers with native command of English

JGHTR@gmail. Com

SHARE

I'm Margaret, looking for a person with a positive outlook on life to share thebedroom in a wonderfully-located luxury apartment. That's near everything and haseverything, hard-wood floors, international TV, washer / dryer. Other two roomsalready occupied by a French and a Kiwi women, both professional.

Please contact me. MLCT@sina.com

FOR RENT

CNY 12,000 / lovely apartment near West Nanjing Road

Layout:3 bedrooms,2 bathrooms

Size:120sqm

Monthly rental: RMB 12,000

Compound: First Block

Facilities: gym, tennis court, indoor swimming pool,children's playground

LYG2560@sohu.com

1.Margaret is now looking for________.

A.her lost cat        B.an apartment       C.a job             D.a roommate

2.Which of the following is NOT the requirement of EL house?

A.Experienced in exam preparations.

B.Experienced in teaching Chinese.

C.Excellent command of English.

D.Degree holder.

3.Tolook for a person to work in your restaurant, you can contact________.

A.LYG2560@sohu. com                    B.MLCT@sina. com

C.Backerl896@126. com                   D.JGHTR@gmail. com

4.If you rent the apartment near West Nanjing Road, ________.

A.you should pay RMB 13,000 each month

B.you can work out in the gym

C.you can go shopping in the neighborhood

D.you can swim in an outdoor swimming pool

5.What does the underlined word “incumbent” mean?

A.Businessman.      B.Student.           C.Employee.         D.Employer.

 

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