Personal Growth

　　There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process.

　　People have generally viewed personal growth as an external (外部的，表面的) result or product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a promotion, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language — all these are examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.

　　By contrast, the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since by definition it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but rather the attitudes and feelings people have, their caution or courage, as they gain new experiences and face unexpected difficulties. In this process, the journey never really ends; there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.

　　In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to confront (正视) the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may “fail” at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow. Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, then we tend to take more chances and to be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we’re shy and indecisive (优柔寡断)? Then we may hesitate, move slowly, and not take a step until we know the ground is safe. Do we think we’re slow to adapt to change or that we’re not smart enough to deal successfully with a new challenge? Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.

　　These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary for us to change and grow. If we do not confront and overcome these internal (内部的) fears and doubts, if we protect ourselves too much, then we cease (停止) to grow. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.

In the author’s eyes, one who views personal growth as a process would _______.

       A. succeed in climbing up the social ladder

       B. judge his ability to grow from his own achievements

       C. face difficulties and take up challenges

       D. aim high and reach his goal each time

When the author says “a new way of being”, he is referring to ________.

       A. a new approach to experiencing the world      B. a new way of taking risks

       C. a new method of understanding ourselves　    D. a new system of adapting to change

For personal growth, the author supports all of the following EXCEPT _______.

       A. curiosity about more chances    B. promptness (迅速) in self-adaptation

       C. open-mindedness to new experiences       D. avoidance of internal fears and doubts

The best title for this passage should be _________.

       A. Growth — Product or Process  B. Facing New Challenges

       C. Two Basic Ways of Growth          D. Overcoming Internal Fears

　Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for yeas. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.

　　The first kind of loneliness is temporary（暂时的）. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a particular situation-for example, family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.

　　The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic（长期的）usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.

Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. we depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.

　　Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.

How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?

　　A. Talk to friends              B. Just ignore it  

    C. Go to see a doctor      D. Ask your teachers for guidance

"It" in the last sentence of the second paragraph refers to _____.

　　A. temporary loneliness 　　    B. situational loneliness

　　C. a new place　　      D sleeplessness

The topic of the 4th paragraph is that____.

　　A. one problem of loneliness is a person's social contacts

　　B. we depend on various person for different reasons

　　C. lonely people don't have many social problems

　　D. lonely people don't have many friends

Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?

　　A. Chronic loneliness can cause family problems　　 B. Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness

　　C. Chronic loneliness can not be overcome　　   D. A, B and C are all correct

What is the best title for the passage?

　　A. Three Kinds of Loneliness    B. Loneliness and Diseases

　　C. Loneliness and Social Contacts   D. Chronic Loneliness

EAT YOUR VEGETABLES.　Wash your hands.　Always say "please"　and　"thank you　".We are full of advice for our children,　but when it comes to money,　we often have little to say.　As a result,　our children may grow up with clean hands and good manners,　but without any idea how to　manage their money.Here are some basics that will help guide them their entire lives：

Show them the future.　If your 13-year-old girl were to save $1.000,invest(投资)it at 8% and add $100 every month,　by the time she's 65,she would have $980,983!zxxk

Be careful of credit(信用).Credit cards can help you buy necessary things and build a credit history,　but they must be used responsibly,　which means paying off your debt in time.　Explain to your children that when you buy something using a credit card,　you can easily end up paying two or three times what you would have paid if you used cash.

Teach patience.　Suppose your child wants a new bicycle that costs $150.Rather than paying the cash,　give him some regular pocket money and explain that by putting aside,say,$15 each week,　he will be able to buy it for himself in only ten weeks.

Provide incentive.　Tell your children the importance of saving.　"For every dollar he or she agrees to save and invest rather than spend,　you agree to add another dollar to the pot,　"says Cathy Pareto,　expert in money planning.

Explain your values.　Values and money are deeply intertwined(缠结在一起),　says 　Eilleen 　Gallo,　co-author of The Financially Intelligent Parent.　When your child demands that you buy something,　explain why you really don't want to buy it.　"You might say, 'I'd rather save that money for your education,'"　advises Gallo.　Every time you spend or don't spend money,　you have a chance to share your values.

1.The writer gives some basics to help ____ in a proper way.

A．parents teach their children how to deal with money

B．children follow their parents　'instructions

C．children manage their money

D．parents save their money

2.The underlined word　"incentive"　in paragraph 6 means ____.

A．honor            B．praise            C．excitement        D．encouragement

3.What leads the writer to write this article?

A.　Parents want to know how to educate their children.

B.　He wants to share his good ideas about money matters.

C　.He thinks money management the most important for children.

D.　Parents care 　little 　about their children's management of money.

　Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for yeas. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.

　　The first kind of loneliness is temporary（暂时的）. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a particular situation-for example, family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.

　　The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic（长期的）usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.

Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. we depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.

　　Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.

1.How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?

　　A. Talk to friends                                                B. Just ignore it

    C. Go to see a doctor                        D. Ask your teachers for guidance

2."It" in the last sentence of the second paragraph refers to _____.

　　A. temporary loneliness                      　　                 B. situational loneliness

　　C. a new place　　                           D sleeplessness

3.The topic of the 4th paragraph is that____.

　　A. one problem of loneliness is a person's social contacts

　　B. we depend on various person for different reasons

　　C. lonely people don't have many social problems

　　D. lonely people don't have many friends

4.Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?

　　A. Chronic loneliness can cause family problems　　               B. Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness

　　C. Chronic loneliness can not be overcome　　                     D. A, B and C are all correct

5.What is the best title for the passage?

　　A. Three Kinds of Loneliness                 B. Loneliness and Diseases

　　C. Loneliness and Social Contacts            D. Chronic Loneliness

Decorate the Christmas tree is usually a family event. For many families,

1. ________

it starts with choosing a tree from either a farm and a store. Then the tree

2. ________

　　is brought at home and put into a Christmas stand that holds the tree up 3. ________

　　straight. Then everyone helps to hang balls and light. After the tree is 4. ________

decorated, a Christmas tree skirt rapped around the bottom of the tree.

5. ________

Sometime, people make all of the decorations for the tree by themselves.

6. ________

Many people collect Christmas trees decorations throughout their lifetime,

7. ________

　　adding a new decoration each year. Beside lights and balls, people may 8. ________

also put flowers, pine cones, strings of pop corn and garlands (花环) on the

9. ________

tree, There are as much different ways to decorate a tree as there are people!

10. ________