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          Back to School: Why Grit(毅力) Is More Important than Good Grades?
       The back-to-school season is upon us, and once again, parents across the country have loaded their kids’ backpacks up with snack packs and school supplies. It’s a good moment to reflect on what else we should be giving our kids as they head off to school.

American parents are feeling particularly anxious about that question this year. The educational process feels more than ever like a race, one that starts in pre-preschool and doesn’t end until your child is admitted to the perfect college. Most parents are more worried than they need to be about their children’s grades, test scores and IQ. And what we don’t think about enough is how to help our children build their character—how to help them develop skills like perseverance, grit, optimism, conscientiousness, and self-control, which together do more to determine success than S.A.T. scores or I.Q.

There is growing evidence that our anxiety about our children’s school performance may actually be holding them back from learning some of these valuable skills. If you’re concerned only with a child’s G.P.A., then you will likely choose to minimize the challenges the child faces in school. With real challenge comes the risk of real failure. And in a competitive academic environment, the idea of failure can be very scary, to students and parents alike.

But experiencing failure is a critical part of building character. Recent research by a team of psychologists found that adults who had experienced little or no failure growing up were actually less happy and confident than those who had experienced a few significant setbacks in childhood. “Overcoming those obstacles,” the researchers assumed, “could teach effective coping skills, help engage social support networks, create a sense of mastery over past adversity, and foster beliefs in the ability to cope successfully in the future.”

By contrast, when we protect our children from every possible failure—when we call their teachers to get an extension on a paper; when we urge them to choose only those subjects they’re good at—we are denying them those same character-building experiences. As the psychologists Madeline Levine and Dan Kindlon have written, that can lead to difficulties in adolescence and young adulthood, when overprotected young people finally confront real problems on their own and don’t know how to overcome them.

In the classroom and outside of it, American parents need to encourage children to take chances, to challenge themselves, to risk failure. In the meantime, giving our kids room to fail may be one of the best ways we can help them succeed.

Plastic is everywhere because plastic is an extremely useful material. It is cheap, strong and lightweight. What’s more, it can take on nearly any form or shape, from soft and stretchy (有弹性的) to hard and glasslike.

Plastic, however, is far from perfect. It may even be bad for us. Studies now suggest that poisonous chemicals can get out of some types of plastic, get into our bodies, and cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (注意缺陷障碍).

Two types of chemicals in particular have raised special concern lately. They are called phthalates (邻苯二甲酸盐) and Bisphenol-A (二酚基丙烷), BPA for short. Not all plastic products contain them. But the ones that do are surrounded by controversy (争议). That’s because experts disagree on how dangerous these chemicals are.

Plastic is a single word, but plastic isn’t just one thing. What all plastics share in common are plasticizers -- special chemicals that allow the material to be changed into nearly any shape or texture. Plasticizers (塑化剂) are added to plastic during the manufacturing process.

Phthalates and BPA are two types of plasticizers that work in different ways. Phthalates add softness to things like shampoo bottles, raincoats and rubber. They are also used in perfumes and makeup. BPA, on the other hand, gives a hard, clear, almost glasslike feel to products such as infant bottles. BPA also appears in food and soda cans, DVDs and other unexpected places.

How do these chemicals get into us? When plastic is heated in the microwave or dishwasher, chewed on or scratched, the chemicals can seep (渗透) out of the plastic. Even though we can’t see them, we eat them, drink them and breathe them in.

Scientists and parents are especially worried about young children, who tend to chew on everything, including plastic. Dozens of countries, including the European Union, Japan, Canada and Mexico have already banned phthalates from products made for children younger than three. California and Washington have done the same. And a number of other states are considering similar rules. As for BPA, Canada became the first country to ban the chemical from baby bottles. A dozen states are considering it.

67. What can we know about the plastic from the first paragraph?

   A. Its characters and effects.                B. Its wide use and bad points.

   C. Its importance and chemicals.            D. Its popularity and advantages.

68. Which of the following products contains BPA?

   A. A soft plastic cup.  B. A pencil eraser.  C. A baby milk bottle.  D. A new perfume.

69. Phthalates and BPA can get into us __________.

A. through mouth or nose                       B. through blood transfusion

C. by feeling plastic products                D. by heating in the microwave

70. What is the passage mainly about?

A. A new ban on plastic products.           B. Problems caused by the plastic. 

C. Good points of the plastic.           D. The use of plasticizers.

Opryland Christmas

   Join us in Nashville, Tennessee for a striking country Christmas that’s sure to create wonderful memories! You’ll enjoy four days of entertainment in this beautiful “Music City”.

Dates and Pricing

Nov.28---Dec.1/ Dec.3--6

Price Per Person

Itinerary (旅行日程)

Day 1 --- Gaylord Opryland Resort: Welcome to Nashville! Settle in at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, then head out to enjoy its attractions, such as acres of indoor gardens, a waterfall, a recreation of a Delta River Town, Dozens of unique shops and ten restaurants.

Welcome reception included.

Day2 --- Showboat Cruise: Today we’ll board the General Jackson Showboat for a Cumberland River cruise, which includes a pleasant lunch, holiday music and comedy show. This afternoon we take in ICE!, Nashville’s life-sized ice-sculpting exhibit. The hand-carved ice sculptures reach over 25 feet high!

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Day3 --- Hall of Tress/ Christmas Dinner Party: Choose from a variety of on-site activities today. Look through Treasures for the Holidays --- an art and antiques show, and visit the brilliant Hall of Trees display or relax at the 20,000-sp-foot Spa & Fitness Center.

Tonight you’re in for a real teat --- a special Christmas Dinner & Show. A traditional holiday meal in the joy of the season with traditional Christmas music, dance and song.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 4 --- Farewell Brunch: Today say good-bye to your new friends with a good-bye brunch at the resort. Before you leave , finish up your Christmas shopping! 25 specialty shops are right here.

Meal included: brunch

Accommodations

Days 1---3 : Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville

64. If a couple stay in a room with garden views, they have to pay ______.

A. $2,454          B. $2,194        C. $1,285         D. $1,405

65. When can the tourists enjoy an art and antiques show?

A. On Day 1.        B. On Day 2.      C. On Day 3.      D. On Day 4.

66. What do we know about the tour?

A. it is a tour of adventure.           B. If offers three meals per day.

C. It lasts four days and four fights.    D. The accommodations won’t change.

Are you an optimist? Do you look at your glass and see it as half full? Do you believe that every cloud has a silver lining and that things generally turn out for the best? Do you believe that if something is meant to be, it will be? If you reply “yes” to all of these questions, then you are an optimist. You probably are enthusiastic, cheerful and outgoing. You may be successful at work and in love.

But you may be misguided because things don’t turn out for the best. You may believe that when one door closes another one opens (for example, you may fail to obtain a new job; another chance will come around soon). Wrong. When one door closes, another door slams (砰然关上) in your face. That’s bitter reality.

Now a book has been published which confirms what pessimists (悲观者) have suspected all along. It’s called The Positive Power of Defensive Pessimism. Its author argues that defensive pessimism can lead to positive results. Defensive pessimism is a strategy used to manage fear, anxiety and worry. Defensive pessimists prepare for the things by setting low outcomes for themselves. They carefully consider everything that may go wrong and plan for ways to handle these problems. And this gives them a sense of control. Lawrence Sanno, a psychology professor, says, “What’s interesting about defensive pessimists is that they tend to be very successful people, so their low opinion of the situation’s outcomes is not realistic. They use it to motivate themselves to perform better.”

So far, so good. This is not rocket science. Defensive pessimists prepare carefully and consider what might go wrong, whether at work, on date or even in a sports game. It makes sense to have a back-up plan. There are many sayings in English urging caution. For example, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” And “Don’t count your chickens until they hatch.” To have a confident and optimistic approach to life’s problems is good. But listen to what Woody Alien, the American comedian says, “Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.”

There are pros and cons to being an optimist and a pessimist. Don’t feel bad if you see the glass half empty. You are a realist. But lighten up and hook up with someone who sees the same glass half full.

60. What’s the passage mainly about?

A. A book that has recently been published.   B. How to become successful in life.

C. The dangers of being too optimistic.      D. The benefits of defensive pessimism.

61. The underlined sentence “This is not rocket science” (Para. 4) means __________.

A. it’s not a dangerous thing to do             B. it is quite simple to understand

C. the cost is not so high                            D. there is no real proof

62. Which of the following English expressions would a defensive pessimist believe?

A. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.    B. The glass is half full not half empty.

C. Whatever will be, will be.              D. Every cloud has a silver lining.

63. The writer would probably describe himself as __________.

A. an optimist          B. a defeatist              C. a realist          D. a scientist

One day when I was driving on the freeway, I noticed all the way there were large dividing walls, which had been built between it and the road running parallel to it, for noise reduction (减少) and a sense of separation. The purpose was to create a sense of privacy (隐私) for people on the other side.

This got me thinking: How often do we put up mental barriers that keep us distant from others? Lifting the artificial barriers that keep us apart can offer opportunities to express our goodwill and create better relationships. If we can do like this, maybe our life will be a little different.

There is a little post office in a nearby town, and since it is closer to me than the post office in my own town, I go there. One day, with many people jammed into the little building, a man came hurrying in to mail a letter, and the girl at the counter saw he had too little postage on it. She told him he needed 2 more cents. Obviously he was a little at a loss. He had hurried over from his office, and didn’t have any money on him or time to stand in line. He was going to run back to get the needed money and wait in line again, but he hurried to get the letter mailed in the first place.

As we were watching him, one woman volunteered a two-cent stamp, and the whole line became very quiet. It was a beautiful moment. The man hesitated for a little while and asked her if she was sure, and she assured him she was fine with giving him the stamp. He offered to go back to his office to get the two cents, and she told him not to bother.

It was a small thing, but it meant something to both of the people involved, and to the rest of us. We aren’t a yard that needs defining or a freeway that needs barriers. We are human beings who can contribute to each other’s wellbeing by taking time to pay attention and interact. After all, we are all parts of a whole living in society.

56. The purpose of the first paragraph is to __________.

A. summarize the main idea                     B. give detailed information

C. tell readers the author’s opinion          D. introduce the topic

57. What happened after the man being told he needed two more cents?

A. The man went back to his office immediately.   B. The man turned to a lady for help.

C. A woman offered a stamp to the man.          D. The man waited in line patiently.

58. What can we learn about the author?

A. She pays too much attention to privacy.

B. She believes people should participate in the world around them.

C. She confuses real barriers with false ones.

D. She insists all small things always have the greatest meaning.

59. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A. Artificial Barriers                          B. Unnecessary Separation

C. An Unforgettable Experience               D. The Kindness of People

For lots of people，the holidays are about helping the less fortunate. 36 than buying

present for each other，a group of friends in a Vermont snowboard(单板滑雪）group like to go to their 37 homeless shelter and give them a day to 38 ．They begin preparing at the

39 of the snow season by asking people who come to the mountain to 40 old winter

clothing like jackets，boots，gloves，and hats. Then the group 41 the shelter to distribute

（分发）the things. Says Jay，18，one of the 42 ，“We tell them，‘Now you guys are coming

with us and we’re going to teach you how to 43 or snowboard all day for free. ’It’s awe-

some(极好的)to know that we are able to take their minds 44 the stress in their lives for

one day.”

　 For this group，working together to help the homeless makes heir relation 45 .They

feel like a part of each other’s lives in a 46 way.

　 It may sound no wonder until you try it，but doing something for charity(慈善）can really help you 47 better about the whole experience of giving. That’s because it benefits for the 48 as well as the recipient-you’re left with a feeling of belonging and being connected. 49 to help an organization or group that fits with your 50 and the things you believe in. If you love children，buy a present for a child in need. 51 animals are your thing，talk to your local animal shelter-many distribute staples like pet food to low-income pet 52 over the holidays. If you 53 a grandparent and would like to spend time with the

elderly 54 out at a nursing home over the holidays. Or share a special skill. If you’re good

with your 55 ，you can help build or painting housing for people in need.

36.　 A. Other　　　　　　 B. Rather　　　　　　　 C. More　　　　　　　　　　　 D. Less

37.　 A. hopeless　　　　 B. curious　　　　　　　 C. local　　　　　　　　　　　 D. foreign

38.　 A. remember　　　 B. forget　　　　　　　　 C. forgive　　　　　　　　　　 D. exercise

39.　 A. end　　　　　　　　 B. start　　　　　　　　　 C. weather　　　　　　　　　 D. middle

40.　 A. bring　　　　　　　 B. mend　　　　　　　　 C. sell　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. throw

41.　 A. rebuild　　　　　 B. take　　　　　　　　　 C. leave　　　　　　　　　　　 D. visit

42.　 A. students　　　　 B. neighbors　　　　　 C. organizers　　　　　　　 D. workers

43.　 A. ski　　　　　　　　　 B. survive　　　　　　　 C. study　　　　　　　　　　　 D. struggle

44.　 A. for　　　　　　　　　 B. in　　　　　　　　　　　 C. off　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. on

45.　 A. easier　　　　　　 B. cleaner　　　　　　　 C. healthier　　　　　　　　 D. stronger

46.　 A. complete　　　　 B. meaningful　　　　 C. new　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. busy

47.　 A. live　　　　　　　　 B. play　　　　　　　　　 C. feel　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. express

48.　 A. giver　　　　　　　 B. visitor　　　　　　　　 C. children　　　　　　　　　 D. officials

49.　 A. Promise　　　　 B. Refuse　　　　　　　 C. Choose　　　　　　　　　 D. Answer

50.　 A. work　　　　　　　 B. values　　　　　　　 C. hobbies　　　　　　　　　 D. profession

51.　 A. If　　　　　　　　　　 B. Because　　　　　　 C. Though　　　　　　　　　 D. While

52.　 A. sellers　　　　　　 B. bosses　　　　　　　 C. stores　　　　　　　　　　 D. owners

53.　 A. visit　　　　　　　　 B. become　　　　　　 C. miss　　　　　　　　　　　 D. dislike

54.　 A. look　　　　　　　　 B. send　　　　　　　　　 C. find　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. help

55.　 A. hands　　　　　　 B. minds　　　　　　　　 C. eyes　　　　　　　　　　　 D. ideas

 Max could smell the rain coming．And it did．Suddenly the lightning flashed through the clouds, nearly ______ him.

     A．to blind            B．blinded           C. blinding          D．having blinded

 Alex is said ___________ by heart 2000 Chinese characters up to now.

A. that he has learned       B. to have learned  C. to learn       D. having learned

 All those second-hand goods are sold at ___________ before.

A. 30% as lower price as                               B. as 30% low price as

C. 30% as low a price as                               D. 30% lower price than

 The weather of this year is not so good as _________ of last year.

A. one           B. the one            C. that                  D. those