A TAXI driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Inspiring speakers charge thousands of dollars to give his kind of training to corporate directors and staff.  It cost me only a ＄12 taxi ride.

I had flown into Dallas just for the purpose of calling on a client. Time was important and my plan included a quick turn – around trip from and back to the airport. A clean taxi pulled up.

The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As be got in the driver’s seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.

Well! I looked around for a “Candid Camera!” Wouldn’t you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, “Obviously you take great pride in you work. You must have a story to tell.”

“You bet,” he replied, “I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my right position in life, somewhere I could feel proud of being the best I could be.

I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day’s work and done it well. I evaluated my personal property and, I became a taxi driver!

One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I jus have to meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXEED the customer’s expectations! I like the sound of being ‘great’ better than just being ‘average’. ”

Did I tip him big time? You bet!

 The taxi driver taught me a great life lesson: Go an extra mile when providing any service to others. And there is no good or bad job you can make any job good.

What lesson did the author learn from the taxi driver?

    A．How to make the best use of time.

    B．How to do better in the service business.

    C．How to turn an interest into your career.

    D．How to become a motivational speaker.

Why did the author look around for a “Candid Camera”?

    A．Because he was afraid he would be photographed in the cab.

    B．Because he was worried what the driver could be up to.

    C．Because he was amazed by the way the driver was treating him.

    D．Because he wasn’t interested in the tapes offered by the driver

It can be inferred from the story that          .

    A．the taxi driver couldn’t accept just being average

    B．the author was anxious to get back to meet a client

    C．when the author waited for a taxi at the airport, he was not in a rush

    D．the taxi driver loved to play his favorite music during rides

According to the story, the taxi driver        .

    A．was dissatisfied wit his present job

    B．was once often rewarded for being a model worker

    C．enjoyed offering his customers more than they expected

    D．was forced to become a taxi driver to support his family

Do you know of anyone who uses the truth to deceive(欺骗)?When someone tells you something that is true，but leaves out important information that should be included. he can give you a false picture．

For example，someone might say，“I just won a hundred dollars on the lottery(彩票)．It was great．I took that dollar ticket back to the store and turned it in for one hundred dollars!”

This guy’s a winner，right? Maybe，maybe not．We then discover that he bought $ 200 worth of tickets，and only one was a winner．He’s really a big loser!

He didn’t say anything that was false，but he left out important information on

purpose．That’s called a half truth．Half truths are not technically lies，but they are

just as dishonest．

Some politicians often use this trick．Let’s say that during Governor Smith’s last

term，her state lost one million jobs and gained three million jobs．Then she seeks an

 other term．One of her opponents(对手)says，“During Governor Smith’s term，the

 state lost one million jobs!” That’s true．However，an honest statement would have

 been，“During Governor Smith's term，the state had a net gain of two million jobs．’’

Advertisers(广告商)will sometimes use half—truths．It’s against the law to make

false statements so they try to mislead you with the truth．An advertisement might say，

“Nine out of ten doctors advised their patients to  take Yucky Pills to cure toothache．”It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of them work for the Yucky

Company．

This kind of deception happens too often．It’s a sad fact of life：Lies are lies，and

sometimes the truth can 1ie as well．

How much did the lottery winner lose?

A．one hundred dollars．           B．Two hundred dollars．

C．Three hundred dollars．         D．Four hundred dollars．

We may infer that the author believes people should

A．buy lottery tickets if possible       B．make use of half—truths

C．be careful about what they are told   D．not trust the Yucky Company

What do the underlined words “net gain” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．final increase                     B．big advantage

C．1arge share                      D．total number

What can we know from the example of the Yucky Pill advertisement?

A．False statements are easy to see through．

B．Half-truths are often used to mislead people．

C．Doctors like to act in advertisements．

D．Advertisements are based on facts．

How many examples does the writer give to show how the truth is used to deceive?

A．One．    B．Two．    C．Three．  D．Four．

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Using half truths is against the law．

B．Technically，half truths are in fact lies．

C．Yucky Pills is a very good medicine for toothache．

D．Governor Smith did a good job during her last term．

Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

A．He’s really a big loser!

B．Sometimes the truth can lie as well．

C．Advertisers will sometimes use half truths．

D．It’s against the law to make false statements．

B

Love ,suaeess, happincss, family and frecdom——how important are these valucs to you? Here is one interview which explores the fundamental questions in life.

Question : Could you introduce yourselr first?

Amswer:My name is Misbah,27 years old. I was born in a war-torn area. Right now I’m a web designer.

Q :What are yout grcat memorise?

A:My parents xxxx to take xx to hunt birdo.and play in the fields. For me it was like a holidax xxx we were going to have fun all day long. Those aer my great mernorics.

Q:Does your childhood mean a lot to you?

A:Yes. As life was very hard, I used to work to help bring money in for the family. I spent my chidhood working. I learnt to be independent.

Q;What changes would you like to make in your life?

A:If I could change comething in my life. I’d change it so that my childhood could have taken place in another xxx. I would have loved to live with my family in freedom. Who cares whether we have mach money, or whether we have a beautiful house? It doesn’t matter as long as I can live with my family and we are safe.

Q:How do you get along with your parents?

A:My parcnts supported me until I came of age. I want to give back what I’ve got. That’s our way. But I am working in another city. My only contact with my parents now is tbrough the phone, but I xxx using it. It filters(过滤)out your cmotion and leaves your voice only. My deepest feelings should be passed through sight, henring and touch.

60.In Misbuh’s childhood, _________.

  A.he was free from worry

  B.he liked living in the countryside

  C.je was fond of getting close to nature

  D.he often spent holidays with his farnily

61.What did Mishap desire most in his childood？

  A.A colorful life.

  B.A beaunful house

  C.Peace and freedom

  D.Money for his family

62.How would Misbah prcfer to communicatc with his parents?

  A.By chatting on the Internet.

  B.By calling them sometimes

  C.By paying weekly visits

D.By writing them letters

63.If there were only one question left ,what would it most probably be?

  A.What was your childhood dream?

  B.What is your biggest achievement?

  C.What is your parents view of you?

  D.What was your handest expenrience in the war?

Do you want to improve the way you study? Do you feel nervous before a test? Many students say that a lack of concentration is their biggest problem. It has bad effects on their ability to study, so do their test results.

If so, use these tips to help you.

Study Techniques

 You should always study in the same place.?? You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it.

 Your eyes will?? become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your book at an angle of 30 degrees.

 Be realistic and don’t try to complete too?? much in one study period. Finish one thing before beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.

Test-taking Skills

 All your hard work?? will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty of rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts a few months.

 Exercise is a great way to reduce?? pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.

 When you arrive in the examination?? room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. You should study in a different place every day so that you don’t get bored.

B. Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time.

C. Check the time during the exam at a certain time.

D. Staying up all night is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method.

What does the underlined word “it” refer to?

A. Your study desk or table.           B. Your textbook.

C. Your dictionary.             D. The equipment you need.

What can be inferred from the passage?

A. You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test.

B. You’ll have enough energy to deal with and concentrate on your study and exams better by eating healthy diet.

C. You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you.

D. If you need a break during study, you can walk around for a few minutes.

A bully(欺凌弱小的人) is a boy or a girl who acts mean (unkind) or hurtful to others, especially weaker persons bullies sometimes hit, kick, or push people, and they sometimes use words to call names or scare them. A bully might say mean things about someone, take a kid’s possessions or make fun of someone on purpose. Some bullies force people to do things they don’t want to do.

Why do bullies act so badly? Just to look for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or a way to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves felt more important-when they pick on someone else, it makes them fell big and powerful. Some bullies come from families where everyone around has a normal way to act. Some bullies are copying what they’ve seen someone else do. Some have been bullied themselves.

Bullying can be a big pain, but you don’t have to let bullying get the best of you. Sometimes just acting bravely is enough to stop a bully. If you walk by and hold your head high as though you’re not afraid, a bully may be less likely to give you trouble. Bullies want a big reaction to their meanness. Acting as if you don’t notice and don’t care is like giving no reaction at all, and this just might stop a bully’s behavior. If you are being bullied, it’s very important to tell an adult. Teachers, principals, parents, and lunchroom helpers at school can all help to stop bullying. Don’t hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends. Fighting back just satisfies a bully, and it’s dangerous, too, because someone could get hurt.

Which of the following is advisable if you are being bullied?

       A．Giving the bullies a satisfactory reaction.

       B．Putting up with the bullies’ behavior.

       C．Turning to grown-ups for help.

       D．Acting bravely and fight back.

According to the writer, the bullies’ purpose of bullying others is to ____________.

       A．find people to take care of them     B．shout and let out their anger

       C．make people notice them D．show their ability

The underlined phrase “get the best of” in paragraph 3 means __________.

       A．get rid of         B．look down upon

       C．do one’s best           D．get the upper hand of

What might be the best title for this passage?

       A．Bullying those who bully       B．Getting the best of bullies

       C．Dealing with bullies D．Caring about bullying