This is a story that happened in Europe in the 17th century. Tulips (郁金香) were introduced into Holland before the 17th century but it did not take long for the flowers to gain popularity among the upper classes. Flowers of such beauty soon became symbols of power and the rich tried their best to lay their hands on some to display them in their gardens. When more people learned of the prices that the rich were willing to pay for tulips, they knew they just found a “get-rich-quick” gold mine.

By 1634, the whole country was so attracted by tulips that all other activities almost came to a stop. People were trading in tulips and even buying and selling bulbs (球茎). At that time, one rare bulb cost as much as ten tons of cheese.

Many made a fortune in the beginning. As the prices moved in one direction, they only needed to buy low and sell high, buy high and sell higher. After the gains, confidence rose and many sold away all their property in order to invest more money in tulips, hoping to make more money. The desire was so strong that those who were watching also rushed to the tulip market. Everyone thought that the high demand for tulips would continue forever and prices could only go up because more and more people from all over the world would start to like tulips.

When the prices of tulips was much higher than it should be, few people bought them for planting in their gardens. The real demand for the flowers seemed greater than it really was. Many people were buying them for speculation (投机), not appreciation. In 1637, for some unknown reasons, a group of people suddenly realized the danger. The prices of tulips began to fall and the market crashed. When confidence was destroyed, it could not be recovered and prices kept falling. Soon the nobles and the rich became poor. Cries of suffering were heard everywhere in Holland.

Why did the upper classes buy tulips in the beginning?

   A. Because the prices of tulips were low.      

B. Because they wanted to make a fortune.

C. Because tulips were introduced from abroad.         

D. Because tulips were beautiful and represented power.

It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

   A. greed(贪婪) was the reason why so many people were mad about tulips

   B. tulips became popular among the upper classes very slowly

   C. people who were mad about tulips bought them for appreciation

   D. when the prices were extremely high, most people planted tulips in their gardens

The passage is mainly about ________.

   A. Europe in the 17th century               B. buying and selling tulips         

C. being mad about tulips                           D. the life of the nobles and the rich 

While I was having dinner with a well-known author and lecturer, our conversation drifted to money. “I have enough money,” he told me casually. “I don’t need any more money.”

       “Of course you can say that,” I thought to myself. “You get fifteen thousand dollars for a lecture.”

       Then I caught my thought process, and pondered(仔细考虑)more deeply on his statement. Is he satisfied because he has a lot of money, or does he have a lot of money because he chooses to be satisfied?

       I know people with more money than this man, and they still don’t have enough. And I know people with very little money, and they always have enough. So is enoughness something that happens to us when we reach a certain level, or is it an experience we can choose and celebrate at any time?

       My friends Adrian and Carey live in a humble cottage in the rainforest. They have quite a modest income, no telephone, and they walk around naked most of the time. I think they are the happiest people I know. They wake up with the sun, love each other very much, and welcome guests with a full and open heart. They appreciate every moment of their lives, have no distraction games going, and are not waiting for the big break around the corner. When I am with them, the predominant(主要的)feeling I have is, “It’s all right here—why would anyone want anything more?”

       Ram Dass used to say, “There are three kinds of people in the world: those who say, ‘Too much!’; those who say, ‘Not enough!’; and those who say, “Ah, just right!’”; Since “too much” of one thing implies “not enough” of another, there are really only two approaches to life: lack or contentment.

From the first paragraph, we can infer that the lecturer ___________.

       A. was living a happy life                          B. was careless about his money

       C. was satisfied with his life                       D. was rich enough to live a happy life

We learn from the underlined part that ____________.

       A. it’s money that is of importance                     B. it’s not money but the attitude that matters

       C. we don’t have to have much money        D. we won’t have enough money in life

What does the author think of Adrian and Carey’s life?

       A. They have no guests.                            B. They have all they want.

       C. They live a very hard life.                      D. They live a very happy life.

According to the last paragraph, people have two different attitudes towards life: ____________.

       A. not enough or too much                         B. lack or too much      

       C. lack or contentment                               D. just right or enough

Which of the following best suits the passage?

       A. Nothing is better than a contented mind.

       B. Where there is a will, there is a way.

       C. Practice makes perfect.

       D. Better late than never.

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