I have something important to ________ you.

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I have something important to ________ you.

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I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch (牧场). He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for the youth. The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my house. It all goes back to a story about a young man, the son of a horse trainer who would go from ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.”

“That night he wrote a paper describing his goal of owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch. He put his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note reading, ‘See me after class.’ The boy went to see the teacher after class and asked, ‘Why did I receive an F?’ The teacher said, ‘This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, ‘If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’”

“The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, ‘Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all. He stated, ‘You can keep the F and I'll keep my dream.’”

Monty then turned to the group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, ‘Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.’”

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

   A. Monty’s high school life was interrupted because his father asked him to help him train horses.

   B. Monty received an F because his teacher thought it was impossible for him to realize his dream.

   C. Monty decided not to rewrite his paper because his father supported him.

   D. Monty’s teacher was serious, responsible, strict and warm-hearted.

2.The underlined word “gumption” in the last paragraph means ______.

   A. hope           B. idea             C. determination         D. belief

3.What can you learn from the passage?

   A. Trying and getting real experience is a way of feeling better about yourself and gaining more       confidence in your abilities.

   B. The easiest way for you to grow as a person is to surround yourself with people smarter than you.

   C. Don’t be afraid of those who might have a better idea or who might even be smarter than you.

   D. Don't let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.

I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don’t feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life.” This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work”. What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.
What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.
What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, “Oh, I hope this brings joy to others’ lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.
Don’t look down on your work. It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, “I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people’s lives”. Tony said, “You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!” Don’t underestimate the value you provide.
Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take.
【小题1】. What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?

I once had a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends. However, in spite of the serious illness, he was initially determined to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life. I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible way for hope of saving your life.

As months went on and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him. He had also been a happy person with a cheerful personality, but rather than give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort in God and humanity. His talks focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his concerned ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him.

During the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice (安养院) came to the home to regulate his medication and provide any other needed support. He didn't complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him.

Indeed, one might think why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others. You often can't learn these important attributes in the lap of luxury, and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the illness can give those left behind.

1.What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?

A. He was operated on immediately.

B. He retired from his job.

C. He researched cancer treatments.

D. He felt sad, doing nothing.

2.What was the man's main source of comfort after several months with the disease? 

A. His family and friends.

B. His belief in humanity.

C. His doctors’ encouragement.

D. The care from others.

3.What did the author learn from his friend’s story?

A. Giving more respect to friends.

B. Extending life as possible.

C. Caring for yourself and enjoying luxury.

D. Getting comfort from God.

4.What does the author mainly want to tell?

A. All people will face death, and thus, we must prepare for it spiritually.

B. Our characters can be strengthened by such an unpleasant situation.

C. Families provide the best support system during such a crisis.

D. People should help those who have got serious illness.