In a US city, a woman parked her car in an attended lot.Hoping to get a discount on the cost of parking, she asked, “Do you give validation(批准)?” “Certainly,”replied the store's manager:“You are an excellent person and I love your hair.” That might be worth the cost of parking.I mean,who wouldn't pay a couple of dollars for this kind of validation?
Author Alan McGinIlis cites an interesting study about the power of positive encouragement.A second-grade teacher complained that her children were spending too much time standing up and roaming around the room rather than working.
Two psychologists observed the behavior of the children and the teacher.Every ten seconds they noted how many children were out of their seats.They counted 360 unseated children throughout each 20-minute period.They also noted that the teacher said "Sit down!" seven times during the same period.
The psychologists tried an experiment.They asked the teacher to tell the children to sit down more often.This time they noted that she commanded her students to sit down 27.5 times in an average 20-minute period, and now 540 were noted to be out of their seats during the same average period.Her increased scolding actually made the problem worse.
Then the experimenters tried a different task.They asked the teacher to quietly praise those children who were seated and working.At this time, children's roaming was decreased by 33%.They showed their best behavior when they were praised more and blamed less.
People who motivate others to take great action are almost always those who encourage more than criticize; who praise more and blame less.
Perhaps the woman's question is the correct one after all."Do you give validation?" I hope I can always answer “YES”.
(1)
When parking her car in an attended lot, the woman ________.
[ ]
A.
made a very silly mistake
B.
was laughed at by the manager
C.
got great praise from the manager
D.
failed to pay the cost of parking at last
(2)
The students in the study performed better mainly because ________.
[ ]
A.
they were motivated by the psychologists
B.
they were inspired by the teacher's attitude
C.
they regretted roaming around the classroom
D.
they changed their relationship with the teacher
(3)
In the passage, the author thinks that ________.
[ ]
A.
it is better to blame others than to praise others
B.
sometimes it's hard to receive praise from others
C.
criticizing children does no good to their growth
D.
we all know how to encourage others by praising
(4)
Why does the author talk about the study in the passage?
[ ]
A.
To show the power of encouragement.
B.
To show how the teacher praises children.
C.
To show his argument is scientifically based.
D.
To show the teacher is a successful motivator.
(5)
What is the author's attitude towards giving validation?
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.