【题目】In six months, I will be 50 but I already know what I’ll regret. This is the answer. “if anything had been different, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” Being like what I am today is so great that I’d never want to change it. But…1

KIDS. I wish I had spent more time with my kids. 2 But I worked really hard and, I admit, I probably avoided them when they were really young and difficult to wake up and get ready for school when they were younger.

MONEY. I wish for 15 years or so I wasn’t so focused on money.

CREATIVITY. I began my career in my 20s doing things that were really creative that I loved. I was trying to write a novel. I was trying to do a TV show. I was always around people I loved so much. And I spent time with them because I loved them and not because I wanted anything else. I wish I had stuck with that. Now, in my 40s, I’m trying to catch up. 3

HUMILITY. When I first made some money, I became a bit too proud. I started investing in all of these horrible companies and having horrible friends. 4 If I were humble and just went back to what I loved, I bet I’d be happier.

DISAGREEMENT. 5 I still have a hard time with that. I wish when someone does something that I don’t like or agree with I would say “no” a bit more often. I’ve gotten into a lot of bad situations because I didn’t say “no”. Here are two cases where I should have said “no” more often: when someone treats me badly and when I don’t want to do something but I feel bad about hurting someone.

Anyway, if I had a time machine, would I go back in time? I’m not sure. It’s OK to feel regretful some times.

【题目】The Netherlands on Monday launched its first-ever “intelligent bicycle”, fitted with a set of electronic devices (设备) to help bring down the high accident rate among elderly cyclists in this country.

The intelligent bicycle runs on electricity. Its seat shakes when other cyclists approach from behind, while the handlebars do the same when obstacles appear ahead to inform cyclists to pay attention to the danger. It also has a cradle (置物架) in which a computer can be inserted (插入), to wirelessly connect and “talk” to the bicycle through a particular application. The computer also flashes a bright signal if there is an approaching obstacle in the bicycle’s path, like a tree, or if another cyclist comes up from behind intending to pass.

A commercial-available bicycle is expected to be on the market in the next two years and should sell for between 1, 700 euros to 3, 200 euros per bicycle. It weighs about 55 pounds but researchers are working on making the on-board systems smaller.

‘‘Accidents often happen when cyclists look behind them or get frightened when they are passed at high speed,” said Maurice Kwakkernaat, one of the scientists involved in the project, “The on-board system technology has already been at work in the automotive (自动的) industry”.

“More and more elderly people are using a bicycle,not only for short distances,but also for longer distances,” Dutch Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen said, “This type of bicycle is truly needed in the Netherlands because it will help us bring down the number of elderly people who are injured every year and allow them to continue enjoying cycling,” she said.

1What does the text mainly talk about?

A. The newly-invented bicycle can warn of danger.

B. The intelligent computer runs on electricity.

C. More elderly people enjoy electronic devices.

D. The means of transportation in the Netherlands.

2When a car appears ahead,the intelligent bicycle will_________.

A. stop by itself B. make a noise

C. warn its cyclist D. change its color

3What do you know about the intelligent bicycle?

A. It uses gas as the fuel. B. It is widely used now.

C. It will be lighter in weight. D. It will be free for everyone.

4More and more elderly people in the Netherlands______________.

A. try to invent intelligent bicycles B. enjoy themselves by cycling

C. drive cars for longer distances D. devote themselves to computers

【题目】Security guard, truck driver, salespersonyear after year, these jobs appear on lists of the unhappiest careers. Although many factors can make a job unhappy, unusual hours, low pay, no chance for advancement these three gigs stand out for another reason: a lack of small talk.

Psychologists have long said that connecting with others is central to well-being, but just how much conversation we require is under investigation. In one study, researchers eavesdropped(窃听) on undergraduates for four days, then cataloged each overheard conversation as either small talk (What do you have there? Popcorn?(Yummy!) or serious (So did they get divorced soon after?). They found that the second type related with happinessthe happiest students had roughly twice as many serious talks as the unhappiest ones. Small talk, meanwhile, made up only 10 percent of their conversation, versus almost 30 percent of conversation among the least content students.

However, don't just consider chat worthless yet. Scientists believe that small talk could promote linking. Chatting with strangers could brighten your morning. In a series of experiments, psychologists gave Chicago travelers varying directions about whether to talk with fellow train passengers something they typically avoided. Those told to chat with others reported a more pleasant journey than those told to enjoy your being alone or to do whatever they normally would. None of the chatters reported being rejected. And the results held for introverts(内向者) and extroverts(外向者) alike which makes sense, since acting extroverted has a positive effect on introverts.

Small talk can also help us feel connected to our surroundings. People who smiled at, made eye contact with, and briefly spoke with their Starbucks reported a greater sense of belonging than those who rushed through the business. Similarly, one not yet published paper found that when volunteers broke the silence of the Tate Modern to chat with gallery goers, the visitors felt happier and more connected to the exhibit than those who were not approached.

So go ahead, pry. Chitchat needn’t be idle. And nosiness isn’t all bad.

【1】The author attributes the unhappiness felt by security guards, truck drivers and sales people to ________.

A. unusual hours and low pay

B. a lack of small talk

C. no chance for advancement

D. an absence of serious conversation

【2】What was the conclusion of the study mentioned in the second paragraph?

A.Connecting with others is central to our well-being.

B.We require 30 minutes of conversation every day to be happy.

C.Serious conversation is linked to happiness.

D.Small talk cannot help make us feel happy.

【3】The author used the Tate Modern example to demonstrate that ________.

A. connecting with others is key to our happiness

B. unserious conversation could promote bonding

C. small talk can help us feel connected to our surroundings

D. smiling can help people gain a great sense of belonging

【4】Which of the following shows the development of ideas in this passage?

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