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One of the many great lines in the movie Apollo 13 came from Ed Harris, who played NASA Director of Operations, Gene Kranz. The famous line was, “Gentleman, failure is not an option.” He said the words because he had a clear purpose that the three astronauts trapped in space must be sent home safely. The driving force behind their seeking of a solution was motivated by a true purpose.
Here is the simple principle. If you have a big enough ‘why’ in life, you will always figure out the ‘how.’ A person without a purpose in life is like a boat without a rudder, floating aimlessly without a direction and going nowhere. In all walks of life, when referring to someone’s success, we often hear the words “focus and determination”. But Merriam Webster defines the word “purpose” as the reason why something is done, a feeling of being determined to achieve an outcome. There are many talented and intelligent people in the world that are unsuccessful because they lack direction. I believe that our life depends on our purpose. Whether you’re single or in a team, having a purpose allows you to start, evaluate, and improve your talents or abilities helps you find your path in life and achieve your success finally.
A friend of mine once told me that the most motivating speech he had ever heard was just three short words. It came from his wife when she said, “Honey I’m pregnant.” He said those few words instantly motivated him because he now had a big “why” in his life, a purpose to work hard to support his family. In fact, when your “why” gets bigger, you get better because you stop holding back and you’ll go all out. It’s why you often hear about some great people perform superhuman actions when failure is not an option!
1.What does the underlined word “rudder” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A. Something that gets the boat started
B. Something that makes the boat float
C. The reason for which the boat is built
D. Something that directs the boat to a certain place.
2.What is the most important thing for success according to Merriam Webster?
A. Talent B. Purpose
C. Determination D. Intelligence
3.The author gives his friend’s example to show________.
A. why words can motivate people easily
B. that family love is very important in our daily life
C. that a purpose can make people try their best
D. how people can get success more easily
4.What does the author mainly tell us in this passage?
A. To be successful person B. To have a big “Why” in life
C. To make a right choice D. To get rid of failure
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen.Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English,especially your spoken English.
Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers.You may find the information you need.
Global English Center
●General English in all four skills: listening,speaking,reading and writing.
●3-month (700 yuan),6-month (1,200 yuan) and one-year ( 2,000 yuan) courses.
●Choice of morning or evening classes,3 hours per day,Mon.---Fri.
●Experienced college English teachers.
●Close to city centre and bus stops.
Tel: 67605272 Add: 105 Zhongshan Road,100082
Modern Language School
●Special courses in English for business,travel,banking,hotel management and office skills.Small classes (12-16 students) on Sat.& Sun.from 2:00-5:00 pm.
●Native English teachers from Canada and USA.
●Language lab and computers supplied.
●3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6 month course: 1,850yuan
Write or phone: Modem language School,675 Park Road,100056
Tel:67353019
The 21st century English Training Center
●We specialize in effective teaching at all levels.
●We offer morning or afternoon classes,both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan.
●We also have a six-week TOFEL preparation class during winter and summer holidays.
●Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec.1.
●Only 15-minute walk from city center.
Call 67801642 for more information
The International House of English
●Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week; convenient class hours: 9:00-12:00 am.and 2:00-5:00 pm.
●A four-month evening program for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes).
●Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers experienced in teaching English as second/foreign language.
●Free sightseeing and social activities.
●Very close to the Central Park.
For further information call 67432308
1.You work from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm every day.Which schools will you choose?
A. Global English Center and Modern Language School
B. Global English Center and the International House
C. ModemLanguageSchoolandthe21stCentury
D. The 21st Century and the International House
2.The 21st Century is different from the other three schools in that .
A. its teaching quality is better
B. it is nearest to the city center .
C. its courses are more advanced
D. it requires an entrance examination
3.If you take the evening program at the International House,you will pay about .
A. 60 yuan B. 240 yuan
C. 720 yuan D. 1,000 yuan
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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People who have lost the ability to understan
d or use words due to brain damage are called aphasics（失语症患者）.Such patients can be extremely good at something else.From the changing expressions on speakers' faces and the tones of their voices,they can tell lies from truths.Doctors studying the human brain have given a number of examples of this amazing power of aphasics.Some have even compared this power to that of a dog with an ability to find out the drugs hidden in the baggage.
Recently,scientists carried out tests to see if all that was said about aphasics was true.They studied a mixed group of people.Some were normal;others were aphasics.It was proved that the aphasics were far ahead of the normal people in recognizing false speeches—in most cases,the normal people were fooled by words,but the aphasics were not.
Some years ago,Dr.Oliver Sacks wrote in his book about his experiences with aphasics.He mentioned a particular case in a hospital.Some aphasics were watching the president giving a speech on TV.Since the president had been an actor earlier,making a good speech was no problem for him.He was trying to put his feelings into every word of his speech.
But his way of speaking had the opposite effect on the patients.They didn't seem to believe him.Instead,they burst into laughter.The aphasics knew that the president did not mean a word of what he was saying.He was lying!
Many doctors see aphasics as people who are not completely normal because they lack the ability to understand words.However,according to Dr.Sacks,they are more gifted than normal people.Normal people may get carried away by words.Aphasics seem to understand human expressions better,though they cannot understand words.
1.What is so surprising about aphasics?
A. They can fool other people.
B. They can tell whether people are lying.
C. They can understand language better.
D. They can find out the hidden drugs.
2.How did the scientists study aphasics?
A. By asking them to watch TV together.
B. By organizing them into acting groups.
C. By comparing them with normal people.
D. By giving them chances to speak on TV.
3.What do we learn from this text?
A. What ones says reflects how one feels.
B. Aphasics have richer feelings than others.
C. Normal people often tell lies in their speeches.
D. People poor at one thing can be good at another.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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If women are mercilessly exploited（剥削）year after year,they have only themselves to blame.Because they tremble at the thought of being seen in public in clothes that are out of fashion,they are always taken advantage of by the designers and the big stores.Clothes which have been worn only a few times have to be put aside because of the change of fashion.When you come to think of it,only a woman is capable of standing in front of a wardrobe（衣橱）packed full of clothes and announcing sadly that she has nothing to wear.
Changing fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste.Many women spend vast sums of money each year to replace clothes that have hardly been worn.Women who cannot afford to throw away clothing in this way,waste hours of their time altering（政变）the dresses they have.Skirts are lengthened or shortened;neck-line are lowered or raised,and so on.
No one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society.Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth,comfort and durability（耐用）.They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort,as long as they look right.There can hardly be a man who hasn't at some times in his life smiled at the sight of a woman shaking in a thin dress on a winter day,or delicately picking her way through deep snow in high-heeled shoes.
When comparing men and women in the matter of fashion,the conclusions to be drawn are obvious.Do the constantly changing fashions of women's clothes,one wonders,reflect basic qualities of inconstancy and instability （不稳定）?Men are too clever to let themselves be cheated by fashion designers.Do their unchanging styles of dress reflect basic qualities of stability and reliability（可靠）?That is for you to decide.
1.Designers and big stores always make money .
A. by mercilessly exploiting women workers in the clothing-industry
B. because they are capable of predicting new fashions
C. by constantly changing the fashions in women's clothing
D. because they place great importance on quality in women's clothing
2.To the writer,the fact that women alter their old-fashioned dresses is seen as .
A. a waste of money B. a waste of time
C. an expression of taste D. an expression of creativity
3.The writer would be less critical if fashion designers placed more stress on the of clothing.
A. cost B. appearance
C. comfort D. suitability
4.According to the passage,which of the following statements is true?
A. New fashions in clothing are created for the commercial exploitation of women.
B. The constant changes in women's clothing reflect their strength of character.
C. The fashion industry makes an important contribution to society.
D. Fashion designs should not be encouraged since they are only welcomed by women.
5.By saying "the conclusions to be drawn are obvious" the writer means that .
A. women's inconstancy in their choice of clothing is often laughed at
B. women are better able to put up with discomfort
C. men are also exploited greatly by fashion designers
D. men are more reasonable in the matter of fashion
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
d or use words due to brain damage are called aphasics（失语症患者）.Such patients can be extremely good at something else.From the changing expressions on speakers' faces and the tones of their voices,they can tell lies from truths.