Nothing succeeds like confidence. When you are truly confident, it radiates (辐射) from you like sunlight, and attracts success to you like a magnet (磁铁). Besides, those who are self-confident can in turn inspire (encourage) confidence in others: their audience, their peers, their bosses, their customers, and their friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success.

So how can we build a sense of self-confidence and prepare ourselves on the way to success?

First, do what you believe to be right, even if others mock or criticize you for it. Believe in yourself and believe that you can do it in any situations, because if you believe you can, then you really will. The belief keeps you searching for answers, which means that pretty soon you will get them.

Second, govern your behavior based on what other people think. What’s more important, be willing to take risks and go the extra miles to achieve better results, in which case mistakes can not be avoided. Always be ready to admit your mistakes, and learn from them. Next, work hard to settle the problems in order to cover up your mistakes before anyone notices. Building self-confidence is readily achievable, as long as you have the focus and determination to carry things through. And what’s even better is that the things you’ll do to build self-confidence will also build success -- after all, your confidence will come from real, solid achievement. No one can take this away from you!

As you sow, so will you reap. With your perseverance (毅力) and improvement, you are getting closer to success. At this stage, wait for others to give congratulations and compliments on your achievements. “Thanks, I really worked hard on it. I’m pleased you recognize my efforts.” The congratulations and compliments from others will promote you to gain further success.

Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, and it is no wonder that so many people struggle to find it. Self-confidence really can be learned and built on. Besides, whether you’re working on your own self-confidence or building the confidence of people around you, it’s well worth the effort!

1.Those who are truly confident _______.

A．succeed without effort and hard work

B．encourage people around to become confident

C．appear more attractive and thus become successful

D．gain the confidence of others and feel successful

2.The underlined word “mock” (Paragraph 2) is closest in meaning to _______.

A．praise            B．imitate (模仿)      C．punish            D．laugh at

3.When others congratulate us on our achievements, we are supposed to _______.

A．praise them in return

B．gain further improvement

C．politely accept the compliments

D．expect them to congratulate you again

4.Which of the following proverbs (sayings) best goes with Paragraph 4?

A．Look before your leap.

B．It is no use crying over spilt milk.

C．Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

D．Learn from past mistakes and avoid future ones.

5.The purpose of the text is to _______.

A．tell people how to become successful

B．convince people to do what they believe to be right

C．encourage people to build confidence and achieve success

D．criticize people who lack confidence and thus fail in their career

Why do Chinese people love hot pot so much? As the winter months begin to settle in, I find myself wondering what it is about this traditional meal, which has existed for more than 1，000 years, that makes it a Chinese food favorite．But it seems that the answer lies beyond the dish itself．

Hot pot isn't just designed to keep you warm during the cold months; it's also a social experience．It's a "theater” cuisine that turns a meal into an event．There is a lot of fun for everyone to have in adding ingredients to the hot pot．

Hot pot is eaten over two to three hours．For this reason, it is often, considered an evening's entertainment, and time to spend with friends and family．However, many westerners would be put off by the idea of other people sticking chopsticks in their food．When we come to eat at the table in the UK, we tend to have our own individual portions （份额）, although the experience is still a social one．

A similar experience to the hot pot one can be found in Korean barbecue restaurants, which let you cook your own meat．This allows people to have their meat done however they want．

For most Westerners, the idea of going to a restaurant to cook their own food is bizarre （古怪的）．But having given hot pot a go, I find it's now one of my favorite meals in Beijing．The steam from the pot left my clothes smelling of food when I got home, but perhaps this is also part of the experience．When the chilly （刺骨的） wind is blowing outside, just grab （抓） some chopsticks, some good friends, and dig in．For me it's like throwing a dinner party where my taste buds （味蕾） and my appetite are equally satisfied in the warm company of friends．

1.According to the author, hot pot is popular in China because ________．

A．it is a fun social experience

B．it has been developing for over 1,000 years

C．it involves many unique ingredients

D．it keeps people warm in winter and it is creative

2.We can conclude from the article that generally British people _______.

A．prefer a Korean barbecue to Chinese hot pot

B．find it interesting to cook their own food in restaurants

C．don't like sharing food with others

D．don't mind the smell of food staying on their clothes after dinner

3.The underlined word "put off" in the third paragraph probably means _____

A．excited     B．disappointed  C．puzzled    D．discouraged

4.What is the tone of the article?

A．Appreciative B. Longing      C．Humorous．D．Serious．

If you want to fully enjoy your vacation, then you’d better check the Durban City Tours! This is actually one of the best choices in South Africa today.

There is nothing more relaxing than to think about it that there is a place to go and relax, right? City life is stressful, but you can escape this situation and be in the place where there is noting but fun. Here in Durban you will get to see all the amazing tourist attractions. If you love animals and want to see some elephants wandering around the streets, then Durban is the place to go. You can even get to ride one if you want!

Here you will also get to taste all the delicious South African food. You can choose from Italian cooking to its native dishes. Durban is a great place to tour with your friends and family. You will learn a lot about its history through the landmarks you will see down the streets. Tourists and even the local villagers just can’t get enough of these treats!

However, it is important that you make the necessary arrangements. There are actually lots of tour guides that will help you as you make your journey along the streets of Durban. But if you prefer the best tour guides here in Durban, then you’d better settle for the Street Scene Tours. Their staff are all well-trained and professional. They will certainly make your stay here an unforgettable one. No wonder tourists prefer the Street Scene Tours when it comes to Durban City Tours.

1.What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?

A.  Durban is a relaxing city.

B.  City life means high pressure.

C.  It is good to have a place to relax.

D.  One can have fun riding elephants.

2. If you walk in the street of Durban, what will impress you most?

A.  Tourists from all over the world.

B.  The buildings and many kinds of animals.

C.  The streets and some wandering elephants.

D.  The friendly local people and the scenery.

3.. What does the last sentence in Paragraph 3 show?

A.  The food can’t satisfy them.

B.  They are bored with the streets.

C.  They are treated very well here.

D.  They never get tired of the sights.

4. The author wrote the last paragraph mainly to      .

A.  attract tourists to Durban

B.  help readers make arrangement

C.  introduce the tour guides in Durban

D.  persuade tourists to choose the Street Scene Tours

Daniel Boone was born in the United States in 1734. He didn't go to school and couldn't read, although he learned all about the forests, streams and hunting. He could move silently like an Indian leaving no marks. He loved to live alone in the woods where nothing frightened him.

When he grew up, he married and tried to settle down on a farm. A year later, however, he wasn't satisfied and decided to go into the unknown western lands, crossing the Appalachian Mountains. When he returned after two years, he became famous for his long journey. He brought valuable animal skins and told stories about the Indians.

After this, he chose to keep travelling to unknown places. Once he lost to the Indians in battle and was taken away. The Indians liked him and became his friends.

Daniel Boone died at the age of 86. He is remembered as an explorer(探险者)and a pioneer who lived an exciting life in the early years of American nation.

1.Daniel Boone's early life was mainly spent in ______ .

A．learning about nature

B．hunting with his friends

C．learning useful skills from the Indians

D．studying at home because he couldn't go to school

2.When he got married, Daniel Boone first planned to ______.

A．set up a large farm

B．go on a journey with his wife

C．find food, new land for his farm

D．live a peaceful life with his family

3.Daniel Boone became famous because ______ .

A．he travelled a lot in the western lands

B．he was very good at telling stories

C．he found better animal skins than others

D．he was the first to climb the Appalachian Mountains

4.Why did the Indians want to make friends with him?

A．Because they wanted to learn from him.

B．Because he wanted to make peace with them.

C．Because they wanted to make friends with white people.

D．No reason is told in this article.

5.In this article, Daniel Boone is best described as ______ .

A．warm-hearted                          B．strong

C．careful                               D．brave

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36-55各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

Yesterday I heard about a single mom with two kids that I barely know. She was pleading for help to pay her   36   bill so it wouldn’t get disconnected. I have seen her help many others over the past months. She   37   to make ends meet but puts on a smile   38   her children won’t worry. She has no family near her so if she   39   her phone, her children or their school will have no way to get in   40   with her. After reading her plea（恳求）, I thought about it all night and it broke my heart.

   This morning I   41   her that I wanted to help. And I   42   her phone bill so that she would not lose it. She wrote me one of the most   43   letters I have ever received,   44   me how thankful she was. She   45   and said that I would never know how   46   it meant to her that a stranger would be so   47   . She had nowhere to go and didn’t know where to turn. I   48   to her that she was a kind heart and it is especially important to me to help   49   people such as her.

I am very glad to have been able to help   50  . Her tears of joy and heartfelt   51   were more than enough thanks for me. Everything we do for someone else, big or small, makes such a big   52  . We can share some happiness and sorrows. Among all of us, we have the ability to   53   solutions to some problems that now   54  . Opening my heart and   55    for a friend in need makes me proud and I am thankful I was able to pay it forward today!

A. food                   B. school                      C. phone                      D. family

A. means                   B. struggles                  C. likes                        D. fails

A. but                        B. though                            C. however                   D. so

A. changes                 B. loses                        C. destroys                   D. sells

A. touch                    B. sight                        C. notice                      D. trouble

A. contacted            B. realized                    C. asked                       D. invited

A. bought                  B. found                       C. asked                       D. paid

A. interesting             B. important                 C. sincere                            D. fascinating

A. respecting                  B. telling                      C. praising                    D. encouraging

A. cried                   B. laughed                    C. discussed                  D. shamed

A. rich                         B. excellent                  C. much                       D. strange

A. moved                 B. amazing                   C. delighted                 D. kind

A. explained             B. proved                            C. promised                  D. argued

A. humorous            B. wonderful                C. beautiful                  D. brave

A. in                        B. through                    C. out                          D. besides

A. congratulation      B. conclusion                C. hope                        D. appreciation

A. difference            B. progress                   C. information                     D. behaviour

A. replace                B. create                       C. compare                   D. work

A. disappear             B. find                         C. exist                        D. settle

A. letter                   B. mouth                      C. door                        D. wallet