What was the critic's ______ to the novel?

    A.comment        B. impression       C.comprehension    D. reaction

My friend took his colleague to see an art exhibition in north London.

The show was basically piles of breeze blocks (煤渣砖) forming armchair and sofa shapes, painted in primary colors.

Seeing these, the colleague said, “You brought me all the way out here to see this pile of junk when we could have been having a nice lunch?” He continued his rant about the work all the way back to the office.

When they got there my friend said, “You said you don’t like the work, but you haven’t stopped talking about it since you first saw it.”

Whether he liked it or not, he could not forget it.

If the artwork is fresh and new, you can’t expect to like it straightaway, because you have nothing to compare it with.

The effort of coming to terms with things you do not understand makes them all the more valuable to you when you do grasp them.

Good art speaks for itself. That doesn’t mean you have to like it.

So the next time you go to an art show, or look at anything for that matter, observe what effect it has on you and try to form your own opinion.

That way, you become the critic and not a mouthpiece for someone else’s opinions.

What does the colleague think about the art exhibition?

   A. He feels it a waste of time going to the exhibition.

   B. He is very interested in the work shown on the exhibition.

   C. He is disappointed that art is abused on the exhibition.

   D. He thinks his understanding about art is far better than the author of the work on the show.

The underlined word ‘rant’ means ________.

   A. praise       B. hatred       C. complaint   D. misunderstanding

Which of the following does NOT represent the author’s opinion about art?

   A. Good art speaks for itself.

B. Good art doesn’t mean you have to like it.

   C. It matters more what impression a piece of art work leaves on you.

   D. Learn to be a mouthpiece for someone’s opinion matters more.

What suggestion does the author give for going to an art show?

   A. Like it whether it is good or not.                           

B. Don’t compare it with anything.

   C. Observe its effect and form your own opinion   .

D. Be a good mouthpiece.

Criticism (批评) is everywhere in life. It is up to you to decide how to react to it. Learn how to deal with criticism and lead a happier and more relaxing life.

Ask yourself how the criticism will affect you. Will you lose your job because of the criticism? Will you lose what is important to you because you are criticized? Will life stop existing if your opinions are not accepted? Surely not! So, don’t worry about it. Instead, remember that some criticism actually helps you make some improvements.

You absolutely cannot stop what people say. What you can do, however, is to change the way you react to criticism. If you let it upset you, then the blame is on you. You have the right to decide what to do with the criticism you receive.

Don’t be afraid to accept criticism. No one likes to be told that he is wrong. Yet, every single person has, at one time or another, been blamed for something. Realize that it’s normal. You may have received some strong criticism, but it doesn’t mean that you are foolish, or that you don’t have the ability to do something properly. If you are afraid to put your work out for others to see, you’ll never know if you are a capable person. Try not to think of it in that way and don’t take it seriously. If you can learn to be optimistic, you will remove some stress and nervousness about what people think, thus becoming happier.

Consider where the criticism comes from. It may help you step back and examine what causes the criticism. Is the critic just trying to offer constructive criticism? It is much easier to accept correction or guidance from someone that has good intentions. This type of criticism is known as valid criticism, because there is a valid point or reason to it. On the other hand, there are critics that offer their advice just to be negative. This is commonly referred to as invalid criticism because it is often not of any use at all.

Do your best. And if someone doesn’t like what you’ve done, so what? It’s either valid criticism or invalid criticism. But you have the power to decide how you will allow it to affect you.

Title: How to deal with criticism

My friend took his colleague to see an art exhibition in north London.
The show was basically piles of breeze blocks (煤渣砖) forming armchair and sofa shapes, painted in primary colors.
Seeing these, the colleague said, “You brought me all the way out here to see this pile of junk when we could have been having a nice lunch?” He continued his rant about the work all the way back to the office.
When they got there my friend said, “You said you don’t like the work, but you haven’t stopped talking about it since you first saw it.”
Whether he liked it or not, he could not forget it.
If the artwork is fresh and new, you can’t expect to like it straightaway, because you have nothing to compare it with.
The effort of coming to terms with things you do not understand makes them all the more valuable to you when you do grasp them.
Good art speaks for itself. That doesn’t mean you have to like it.
So the next time you go to an art show, or look at anything for that matter, observe what effect it has on you and try to form your own opinion.
That way, you become the critic and not a mouthpiece for someone else’s opinions.
【小题1】What does the colleague think about the art exhibition?

A．He feels it a waste of time going to the exhibition.

B．He is very interested in the work shown on the exhibition.

C．He is disappointed that art is abused on the exhibition.

D．He thinks his understanding about art is far better than the author of the work on the show.

In December,2010,many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this year’s list of favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr.Franzen fills the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.

Jennifer Egan’s book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years. The story moves back and forth in time,from different viewpoints. One main character is former rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts and those of their friends.

The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language newspaper published in Rome,Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.

    Two of the most popular non­fiction books of 2010 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids is by rock singer Patti Smith. It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild times this famous band has experienced.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.

Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about 2,000 years ago. One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her story from centuries of lies.

1.The following books are related to music EXCEPT________.

A. The Imperfectionists          B. A Visit from the Goon Squad   

C. Just Kids                   D. Life

2.If your major is the history of ancient Africa, you may pay attention to ________.

A. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen                        

B. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

C. The Imperfections by Tom Rachman

D. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff   

3.Which book will give you a practical understanding of the USA?

A．Life                                       B．Cleopatra: A Life

C．Freedom                                 D．A Visit from the Goon Squad

4.The last sentence of the passage implies that ________.

A．Stacy Schiff is an archaeologist

B．the critic finds the character in the book very real

C．the critic speaks highly of Cleopatra in history

D．Stacy Schiff tells a story about an imaginary Egyptian queen