A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain(瓷杯子), glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!”
【小题1】 When did they decide to go to see their professor?

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain(瓷杯子), glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!”

1. When did they decide to go to see their professor?

2.Why did the professor offer them different cups?

3.What caused the professor to say those words?

4.What does the word “cup” in this passage refer to?

5.What is the purpose of the professor’s words?

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain(瓷杯子), glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!”

1. 1.

   When did they decide to go to see their professor?

   1. A.
      After the reunion
   2. B.
      During the get-together
   3. C.
      Before they graduated
   4. D.
      Just after the professor retired
2. 2.

   Why did the professor offer them different cups?

   1. A.
      Because cups were not enough for everyone
   2. B.
      Because cups were beautiful
   3. C.
      Because the professor wanted to teach them something
   4. D.
      Because hot chocolate should be contained in different cups
3. 3.

   What caused the professor to say those words?

   1. A.
      Their graduation
   2. B.
      Their reunion
   3. C.
      Their visit
   4. D.
      Their complaints
4. 4.

   What does the word “cup” in this passage refer to?

   1. A.
      Life
   2. B.
      happy things in life
   3. C.
      hot chocolate
   4. D.
      tools to hold and contain life
5. 5.

   What is the purpose of the professor’s words?

   1. A.
      To tell them life is not easy, so try their best to be happy
   2. B.
      To educate them that the happiest people don't have the best of everything
   3. C.
      To wish them to be grateful to their life and make the best of everything that they have
   4. D.
      To use different cups to tell them they should try different things in life

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain(瓷杯子), glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!”

56. When did they decide to go to see their professor?

A. After the reunion.　　　　　　 B. During the get-together.

C. Before they graduated.　　　　 D. Just after the professor retired.

57. Why did the professor offer them different cups?

A. Because cups were not enough for everyone.

B. Because cups were beautiful.

C. Because the professor wanted to teach them something.

D. Because hot chocolate should be contained in different cups.

58. What caused the professor to say those words?

A. Their graduation.　　　 B. Their reunion.　　　 C. Their visit.　 D. Their complaints.

59. What does the word “cup” in this passage refer to?

A. Life B. happy things in life　　

C. hot chocolate　　　　 D. tools to hold and contain life

60. What is the purpose of the professor’s words?

A. To tell them life is not easy, so try their best to be happy.

B. To educate them that the happiest people don't have the best of everything.

C. To wish them to be grateful to their life and make the best of everything that they have.

D. To use different cups to tell them they should try different things in life.

Attention STARBUCKS  

Owners of Stainless Steel(不锈钢) Travel Mug

Mug lid Recall---16 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug

We’ve recognized a fault at the cup. The fault might cause some lids to lift slightly from the body of the mug, and could possibly result in injury from hot liquid leaking. So, we have given a lid recall notice immediately. The notice is only related to STARBUCKS 16 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mugs which were sold between November 2012 and February 2013. The bottom of the mug is stamped with “ThermoSServ”, the distributor’s (经销商) name. There is not any printing on the mug handle.

At STARBUCKS, customers’ safety is valued above anything else. Therefore, no matter whether your lid is leaking , in the interest of your safety, we request you bring your mug to your nearest STARBUCKS (excluding Esso STARBUCKS), where they are sure exchange the lid for a new lid that fits well and safely. The new lids are going to be available March 1, 2013.

Don’t use your mug until you exchange the lid, please.

Here’s what you do:

* Please do not use your mug until you have exchanged the lid for a new one.

* New lids will be available March 1, 2013.

* Return your travel mug to a STARBUCKS store.

* Your lid will be exchanged for a new lid.

If you’d like to return the entire mug, bring it back at any time for a full repayment.

If you have any questions regarding this recall, please don’t hesitate to us at:

Toll Free Number: 1-999-701-1717

9:30 am - 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time STARBUCKS

1. The passage is written in order to ________.

A. warn against the danger of using the mugs

B. inform people of exchanging a lid

C. persuade people to buy a new lid

D. introduce a new type of mugs

2. The advertisement is mainly aimed at those who ________. 

A. have 16 oz Stainless mugs                     B. often travel around

C. want to buy 16 oz stainless mugs              D. are selling the mugs 

3. According to the advertisement, which of the following statements is NOT true? 

A. People should stop using the mug immediately.

B. People can get the money back if they return the mug. 

C. People with questions can call the company free of charge. 

D. People can return the lid between October 2012 and January 2013.

4. We can learn that STARBUCKS from the passage ________.

A. is a club for travelers                                                  

B. wants to make more money

C. is an organization helping customers                   

D. cares about the customers’ safety

5. The passage is most likely taken from a(n) ________.

A. news report                    B. advertisement                C. tour-guide book                       D. novel