Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no”.

A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some help, and you agree. But, what you really wanted was a couple of quiet days relaxing at home. Or a roommate spends the entire weekends playing video games and wants to borrow your homework for “reference”. But, you’ve just finished it after taking a whole day to work hard.

Many people say “yes” to these kinds of requests. They tend not to consider their own interests and feelings, and are often angry with themselves afterwards .

Saying “no” requires courage and considerable practice, in fact, according to psychologists .

“Everyone wants to be liked,” says Gabriele Steinki, a German psychologist. “Saying ‘no’ risks losing the affection of the person asking the favor or even a job.”

The result is that many people say “yes” just for keeping the peace. But experts say this is regrettable . Anyone should have the right to say “no”.

In fact, rejecting (拒绝) a request can even help to strengthen a relationship because it expresses a true feeling.

But, for people Used to agreeing to every request, changing can be a long and uncomfortable learning process.

Most people believe that “If I say ‘no’, I'll lose the affection of the person. But the affection is important to me.” This way of thinking can be replaced by this: “If he only likes me because I always do what suits him , then the price of his affection is too high in the long term.”

Steinki says the key is talking to the other person to find a mutual (相互的) solution. “One heeds to present the situation from one’s own point of view, and to suggest how the situation can be dealt with to the advantage of both parties. The other person must have the feeling that his interests are being considered.”

When the refusal is not accepted, Steinki advises giving the reasons calmly again until the person gets the message .

1. Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no” because ________.

A. they don’t care about their own interests and feelings

B. they don’t know they will regret afterwards

C. they have already been used to saying “yes”

D. they care more about others’ affection

2. In the opinion of experts, _________ .

A. people need a lot of practice to say “no”

B. people should say “yes” to keep the peace

C. saying “no” means losing a job

D. people have the right to be liked

3.According to the writer, what should you do if you want to refuse the other person’s request?

A. Just say you can’t help him.

B. Say sorry to him.

C. Refuse him clearly.

D. Talk to the other person to find a mutual way.

4.According to the writer, what should you do if your refusal is not accepted?

A. Say yes to him.　　　　　　　　 B. Repeat your reason for his acceptance（接受，认可）

C. Just go away　　　　　　　　 D. Say no to him

5. What is the best title of the passage?

A. You Need Courage To Say “No”　 B. “Yes” More Than “No”

C Anyone Has The Right To Say “No” D. It’s Hard To Say “No”

　 There are two men who are almost always outside the grocery store（杂货店）. One is sometimes in a wheelchair. He holds a sign that says he is a vet（退伍军人）and “anything will help”. The other man is younger, nearly toothless, and if he were not in such a public place, he would maybe frighten me a little. I have walked past them countless times, on my way to buy my family’s weekly groceries.

　 I don’t usually like to give money to beggars. But I see these guys so often that I decided to make eye contact, say “Hi” to them on purpose and smile at them, instead of ducking my head away and ignoring them. In both cases, I got a surprised “hello there ” back.

　 Last week, while waiting to buy what I wanted, I noticed the pre-made, plastic-wrapped sub-style sandwiches. I grabbed two of them, two extra apples, and two single-serving juice bottles. On my way out, I walked up to the vet and said, “Are you hungry? I got you a sandwich.” He took the sandwich, apple, and juice, and said, “God bless you.” I said, “You, too!” When I asked the other man, “Are you hungry?” He looked so surprised that I wondered when the last time was that anyone had actually spoken directly to him.

　 It was so easy to add those few items to my grocery bag and I felt like I had maybe helped just a little. I’ve decided that I will buy a simple “meal” like that each time I go to the store, for whoever is waiting outside.

1. From the first paragraph we can know that the two men _______.

　 A. are disabled both in body and mind

　 B. are ugly-looking

　 C. are begging for food in a public place

　 D. once served in the army （当兵）for their country

2. When meeting beggars, the writer used to _______.

　 A. say hello to them

　 B. give them a smile

　 C. give money to them

　 D. take no notice of them

3. One of the beggars looked surprised when the writer said to him probably because _______.

　 A. he was not used to being looked after

　 B. no one once spoke to him

　 C. what the writer did encouraged him greatly

　 D. he had been overlooked（轻视） for so long

4. It can be inferred （推断）from the last paragraph that _______.

　 A. the writer was born in a very rich family.

　 B. more beggars will get help from the writer[来

　 C. the two beggars needn’t beg any more

　 D. whoever waits outside the store will be helped

She left without ________ me.

[    ]

A. say good-bye to　　  B. saying good-bye for

C. saying good-bye to   D. say good-bye for

阅读理解

　　If there is no difference in general intelligence (智力) between boys and girls, what can explain girls poor performance in science and mathematics?

　　It seems to be that their treatment at school is a direct muse. Mathematics and science are seen as subjects mainly for boys, and therefore, as girls become teenagers, they are less likely to take them. Interestingly, both boys and girls often regard the subjects for boys as more difficult. Yet it has been suggested that girls do not take mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Girls do not want to be in open competition with boys because they are afraid to appear less feminine (女性的) and attractive.

　　However, if we examine the performance of boys and girls who have taken mathematics courses, there are still more high-achieving boys than there are girls. This difference appears to be world-wide. Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations too.

　　Perhaps the difference which comes out during the teenage years has its roots in much earlier experiences. From their first days in kindergarten, boys are encouraged to work on their own and to complete tasks. Facts show that outstanding mathematicians and scientists have not had teachers who supplied answers.

　　Besides, there can be little doubt that teachers of mathematics and science expect their boy students to do better at these subjects than their gift students. They even appear to encourage the difference between boys and girls. They spend more time with the boy students, giving them more time to answer questions and working harder to get correct answers from them. They are more likely to call on boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion. They also praise boys more frequently. All of this seems to encourage boys to work harder in science and mathematics and to give them confidence that they are able to succeed.

　　Such a way of teaching is not likely to encourage girls to take many mathematics and science courses, nor is it likely to support girls who do. When it comes to these subjects, it seems certain that school widens difference between boys and girls.

(1)Girls are likely to think that ________.

[　　]

A. science courses are for both boys and girls

B. science courses make them more popular

C. science courses make them successful

D. science courses are difficult for them

(2)The text mainly discusses ________ reasons for the difference between boys and girls in scientific achieve-merits.

[　　]

A. biological

B. historical

C. social

D. personal

(3)What are boys usually encouraged to do at school?

[　　]

A. To get help with their homework.

B. To play the leading role in Class.

C. To work with girl students in class

D. To learn to take care of others.

(4)What does the passage say about great mathematicians?

[　　]

A. Their teachers did not supply answers to them.

B. They started learning mathematics at an earlier age.

C. They showed mathematical abilities in their teenage years.

D. Their success resulted from their strong interest in mathematics.

(5)The author would probably agree that ________.

[　　]

A. boys and girls learn in the same way

B. boys and girls are equal in general intelligence

C. girls are more confident in themselves than before

D. girls should take fewer science courses than boys