For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes (音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.

As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.

Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn’t involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can’t see certain colors.

Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed (诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say, ‘No thanks, I’m amusic,’” says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”

1.Which of the following is true of amusics?

A. They can easily tell two different songs apart.

B. Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.

C. Their situation is well understood by musicians.

D. They love places where they are likely to hear music.

2.According to paragraph3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who __________.

A. dislikes listening to speeches

B. can hear anything nonmusical

C. has a hearing problem

D. lacks a complex hearing system

3.What is the passage mainly concerned with?

A. Amusics’ strange behaviours.

B. Some people’s inability to enjoy music.

C. Musical talent and brain structure.

D. Identification and treatment of amusics.

Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are concerned with their own appearance and actions too much. Negative thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?

It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. A person's self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives.

Shy people, who have low respect, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need faith that they are doing "the right thing". Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior(自卑).They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise. A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one: "You're just saying that to make me feel good, I know it's not true.” It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.

Can shyness be completely got rid of, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self respect. It is important for people to accept their weakness as well as their strengths. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and successful life.

1.The first paragraph is mainly about______.

A. the cause of shyness

B. the effect of shyness on people

C. the feelings of shy people

D. the questions in the minds of shy people

2.According to the writer, self-awareness is______.

A. harmful to people

B. a weak point of shy people

C. the cause of unhappiness

D. a good characteristic

3.What is the shy people's reaction to praise?

A. They are pleased by it.

B. They feel it is not true.

C. They are very sensitive to it.

D. They feel they are worthy of it.

4.We can learn from the passage that shyness can ______.

A. block our chances for a successful life

B. help us to live up to our full development

C. enable us to understand ourselves better

D. have nothing to do with lack of self respect

完形填空,阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

As a nativ________Detroit, Michigan Viola Vaughn spent the majority of her life as an active ________. ________ with personal disaster, Viola triumphed and developed a non-profit organization, “1,000 girls”, ________education and training for young women of Senegal. She has devoted her life to ________others achieve, encouraging young girls to ________.Her caring qualities are seen in the daily routine of her beautiful life.

Dr Viola M. Vaughn ________ from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York, and after that, she spent her life devoted to health care and education in the United States and Africa.

In the year 2000, Viola faced a mother’s worst fear________ her 26-year-old daughter died. ________ with five grandchildren to raise, Viola and her husband, Jazz musician Sam Sanders, moved to Senegal, Africa, hoping to provide their grandchildren________ a multicultural education. Tragedy hit again when Viola’s husband of 20 years passed________ and she was left________. Her determination and spirit kept her moving and she passed the time homeschooling her grandchildren.

The surrounding community noticed Viola and her dedication to teaching her grandchildren. Viola was approached by a neighborhood child who wanted to join in the studies________,but with her mother’s permission, the young girl began homeschooling with Viola. Soon the number of students ________Viola’s daily classes rose to twenty and 10,000 Girls was born.

10,000 Girls is a non-profit organization with six locations and over 1,500 students. The girls are actively ________in their education. Not only________teach each other, but they have opened a bakery shop. It can help provide educational supplies. Girls who graduate are given scholarship opportunities and continue the cycle of success by returning to help 10,000 Girls continue to ________.

Viola Vaughn has dedicated her life to the greater good of her community and has truly made, and will continue to make, a difference in the lives of young girls who ________ would not have ________a chance. Viola Vaughn is a true ________ of humanity.

1.A. to B. of C. by D. with

2.A. businessman B. boss C. farmer D. educator

3.A. Faced B. Facing C. Face D. To face

4.A. provide B. providing C. to provide D. provided

5.A. discouraging B. helping C. treating D. bringing

6.A. grow up B. work C. lead a happy life D. make a difference

7.A. fled B. left C. graduated D. differed

8.A. where B. why C. when D. who

9.A. Leaving B. Left C. Having left D. To have left

10.A. for B. to C. by D. with

11.A. down B. by C. away D. to

12.A. behind B. alone C. lonely D. off

13.A. Hesitant B. Hesitantly C. Hesitation D. Hesitate

14.A. joining B. attending C. listening D. taking part

15.A. devoted B. involved C. involving D. addicted

16.A. they do B. will they C. do they D. they will

17.A. grow B. disappear C. decrease D. succeed

18.A. other B. yet C. still D. otherwise

19.A. stood B. taken C. given D. caught

20.A. host B. friend C. hero D. guest

The following are a few cities with cheap attractions or restaurants in California, the US.

Cathedral City 

The Indian Oven in the city will give you a high-quality dining experience. It’s a restaurant with traditional Indian dishes. All of the lunch specials are $5.95 and are served from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The windows of the restaurants give you the beautiful views of desert mountain scenes. You need to call 92234(760)770-3918 to book a table.

Palm Desert 

Palm Desert, a city in Riverside County, has a number of free desert hiking trails(小径). They are named after famous Western Hollywood cowboys. The trails are fun to hike on. At some points they go up very high and you can get a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding desert cities. The paths are dusty, so bring some good hiking boots and hats. Do bring some water and your phone. It’s great for an afternoon hike after 2 pm. Call 92260(760)340-0574 or 92253(760)564-4712 to learn more.

Lake Cahuilla 

Away from the busy streets of the city of Palm Springs, Lake Cahuilla is a great recreational(娱乐的) area you can visit in La Quinta. It is at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains. It costs $3.00 for per person to enter the area, but a half for kids under 7. The activities include: camping, fishing, bicycling, and horseback riding. If you want to save on rooms, you can stay in an RV. Call 92278(760)664-7215 and you’ll learn something else.

1.The desert hiking trails__________.

A. are named after some famous people

B. reach the top of some high mountains.

C. provide visitors with free water and food.

D. have attracted many well-known cowboys.

2. If you want to know more about the restaurants in Lake Cahuilla, you can call __________.

A. 92260(760)340-0574 B. 92278(760)664-7215

C. 92234(760)770-3918 D. 92253(760)564-4712

3.We can learn from the passage that ________.

A. the Indian Oven must be a well-known restaurant in India.

B. kids enjoy the hiking trails in Palm Desert at half price.

C. Palm Desert has been badly polluted by human activities.

D. staying in an RV costs less than staying in a hotel room.

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