Thank you, Mr. Morley, for your kind introduction. It was very nice of you to speak of me like that. While I was listening, I had trouble believing that I was the man you were talking about.

     My thanks go out to all of you for being here at this dinner. I look around and say to myself, "These people are my friends." And you know how good it is to be among friends.

     Seven years ago, I became the tennis coach (教练) at this school. I can remember arriving here as if it were yesterday. When ! started coaching, we only had a small team then, just three boys and two girls, and only one tennis court. So my first job was to increase the team. At the end of the first year, we had ten boys and six girls. And it seems like the team keeps getting stronger every year.

     I've been lucky to have some really good players to coach. Coaches love good players. Some great players from our school over the past years include Herbert Bradbury, Christopher Stanton and Emma Austen, all champions (冠军) during the years they played.

     Among the players on our team now is Arthur Burney, perhaps the best of them all. I'm sure you all join with me in wishing him good luck as he leaves for Capetown next week. He's our first student to enter the Capetown Junior International Tennis Tournament, where he will play against some of the best young tennis players in the world. Good luck, Ace!

     The time has come for me, however, to make a change. Recent health problems have made it difficult for me to continue coaching.

     I must say, I'm looking forward to my retirement (退休) with mixed feelings. I'm certainly ready for a long rest, but I'm a bit worried about what I'll do with all my spare time. You might find me coming down to watch the games from time to time. If you can still remember me, you might say hello.

     Thank you everyone. I'll miss you all.

38. What did the man say in the speech?

     A. He introduced a famous person.    B. He started a meeting.

     C. He would not work any more.      D. He thanked the school for an award.

39. Who were Bradbury, Stanton, and Austen?

     A. Ace's teachers                   B o other coaches at the school

     C. players on the team now          D. students from the past

40. What happens to Ace next week'?

     A. He leaves Capetown.             B. He's away from this school.

     C. He's unhealthy for work.          D. He comes to Emma Austen

41. How does he probably feel during the speech?

     A. Very surprised  B. Quite satisfied  C. A bit frightened     D. A little sad

42. What causes the speaker's retirement?

     A. His health problems.             B. The changes in the players.

     C. He's too old.                    D. He's sick of coaching.

    If you are asked to chair a meeting, remember the following six golden rules for meeting management.

    Always start the meeting on time. If you begin on time, group members who show up late will realize the value of time. Beginning on time shows skill as an effective time manager and sets an example for others to follow.

  Select a note-taker. You may need to refer back to something that was discussed during the meeting at a later date. Good record-keeping is a sign of a good meeting manager as well.    

  Learn to listen. So many times we think about what we are going to say and, in the process, miss important points that other group members may be contributing （做贡献）. Additionally, we often hear only what we want to hear, instead of really listening to other people. Meetings with effective listening are successful meetings.

  Keep the discussion on track（轨道）. Many times an important topic can get sidetracked in a meeting, especially when everyone has a different opinion about the topic. If an unexpected conflict（冲突） develops once the meeting is in progress, either ask a special group to look into the problem, or ask members involved in the conflict to meet with you after the meeting. Doing so will help keep the discussion on track and reduce the chances of wasting group members’ valuable time.

  Give everyone an opportunity to be heard. Some people like to control meetings, while others wait to be asked their opinions. As the leader of the meeting, you need to keep an open mind and make sure everyone feels welcome to contribute and express ideas without criticism.

    End on time. If you said the meeting would last no longer than one hour, make sure the meeting lasts for only one hour. Running late with a meeting makes members late for other appointments, increases the chances that the members will mentally leave the meeting and reduces your reliability as an effective meeting manager.

53. Why should we learn to listen according to the passage?

  A. To show respect to other members.

  B. To hear only what we want to hear.

  C. To get useful and important points.

  D. To save the members’ valuable time.

54. The expression “Give everyone an opportunity to be heard.” in Paragraph 6 means __________.

    A. every one can express their ideas freely without criticism

    B. the meeting manager shouldn’t speak a lot at the meeting

    C. everyone has the right to ask others opinions at the meeting

    D. all group members have to express their ideas at the meeting

55. What can we learn from the passage?

  A. Everyone should look back to what is discussed at the meeting later.

  B. The meeting should be ended on time or some members will leave.

  C. A meeting manager should let members discuss unexpected conflicts.

  D. If you start the meeting on time, late—comers may not be late next time.

56. The author’s main purpose of writing the passage is to __________.

  A. make everyone realize the value of time

  B. encourage people to have their own ideas

  C. advise people how to hold a meeting successfully

  D. give some advice on how to be an effective manager