Uncertainty spreads through our lives so thoroughly that it dominates our language. Our everyday speech is made up in large part of words like probably, many, soon, great, little. What do these words mean?Such verbal expression is not necessarily to be criticized. Indeed, it has a value just because it allows us to express judgments when a precise quantitative statement is out of the question.
We have been trying to pin down by experiments what people mean by these expressions in specific contexts, and how the meanings change with age. For instance, a subject is told “There are many trees in the park” and is asked to say what number the word many mean to him. Or a child is invited to take “some” sweets from a bowl and we then count how many he has taken. We compare the number he takes when he is alone with the number when one or more other children are present and are to take some sweets after him, or with the number he takes when told to give “some” sweets to another child.
First, we find that the number depends, of course, on the items involved. To most people some friends means about five, while some trees means about twenty. However, unrelated areas sometimes show parallel values. For instance, the language of probability seems to mean about the same thing in predictions about the weather and about politics: the expression “is certain to” (rain, or be elected) signifies to the average person about a 70 percent chance; “is likely to”, about a 60 percent chance; “probably will” about 55 percent.
Secondly, the size of the population of items influences the value assigned to an expression. Thus, if we tell a subject to take “a few” or “ a lot of” glass balls from a box, he will take more if the box contains a large number of glass balls than if it has a small number. But not proportionately more: if we increase the number of glass balls eight times, the subject takes only half as large a percentage of the total.
Thirdly, there is a marked change with age. Among children between six and fourteen years old, the older the child, the fewer glass balls he will take. But the difference between a lot and a few widens with age. This age effect is so consistent that it might be used as a test of intelligence.
1. What’s the right attitude towards the words like probably, many, soon?
A. They are inaccurate and we should avoid them.
B. They are necessary since we cannot be always precise.
C. They should be criticized because there are too many of them.
D. Their value is not yet clear since we don’t know their meaning.
2. Why do we do experiments with the words “many” and “some”?
A. To prove people are insensitive to these words.
B. To prove the words dominate our everyday speech.
C. To find out how the meanings vary with age and contexts.
D. To find out whether the words can mean a precise quantity.
3. Which of the expressions means a larger chance in weather broadcast?
A. Possible B. Probable C. Be likely to D. Be certain to
4. Which of the following will least definitely influence the number of items a kid takes out of a box when he is invited to take “some”?
A. Whether the quantity of items is large or small.
B. Whether the items are candies or toys.
C. Whether the kid is a toddler or a youngster.
D. Whether the kid is alone or accompanied by other children.
5. What will tell us about the intelligence of a child?
A. The consistency of picking up a certain glass ball.
B. How many glass balls he will take when he’s asked to.
C. The difference between a lot and a few when he takes glass balls.
D. Whether there are marked changes in his first pick and second one.
I am a mother of three children and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was social study. The last project of the term was called “Smile”. The last class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
Soon after we were given the project, my husband, my youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one cold March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back way. I turned around and found there standing behind me were two poor homeless men with a horrible “dirty body” smell. The short gentleman, close to me, was “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of light as he searched for acceptance. The second man played with his hands uneasily as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation (救赎). The short man just asked for a coffee because that was all they could afford.
I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the men’s table. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said “Thank you”.
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, “That’s why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope.”
On the last evening of class, I turned in “my project” and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?” I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and we all knew that we need to heal people and to be healed.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. “LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS---NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.”
1. Why did the people around the author back away?
A. Because both men were poorly dressed and mentally ill.
B. Because the short gentleman was smiling to everyone around.
C. Because two homeless men were also waiting in line, with a bad smell.
D. Because the second man stood playing with his hands.
2.After the author handed the meals to the homeless men, she _________.
A. talked with them for a while. B. went back to her husband and son
C. turned in her project D. regretted and cried
3. What kind of woman do you think the author is?
A. Over-curious B. Caring C. Mature D. Lovely
4. What does the author try to tell us with the last sentence?
A. Giving is a gesture of love, which people will understand and appreciate.
B. If you need help from others, you’d better present them with gifts.
C. If you want to get something from somebody, you should please him with gifts.
D. Don’t be greedy with money or ask people to do things for you.
5. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
A. The author’s husband was very proud of her.
B. What the author did to the men touched many people.
C. Poor as the homeless men were, they had their dignity.
D. The author felt we should know how to heal people.
A rich landowner decided to leave possessions to one of his two sons. As he lay on the deathbed, he called the two young men to him 1 the break of dawn and even before the cock could crow (鸣叫). He then said, “I will leave all my wealth to the one 2 can best fill this room. It was in this room 3 I made plans on how to build up my fortune. Not an inch must 4 (leave) uncovered. As I am getting 5 (weak) by the hour you both must come back by midnight.” He handed them a small piece of silver and an empty bag to put their purchases in. They both went out and 6 (hurry) came back with their purchases. 7 (bring) the straw, the elder began to spread it about the floor, 8 far from filling the room. It did not even cover half the space. “This is no use, son,” said the father, “and let me see how 9 brother fills the room.” The younger son took 10 his bag a large candle, set it on the table in the centre of the room and lit it. A brilliant bright light filled up the whole room. The father was delighted and exclaimed, “Son, I am sure you will use the wealth well.”
请你以“How to be popular”为题，写一篇英语短文。词数100左右，文章的题目和开头已给出，不计词数。
要点提示：1．衣着干净、整齐，保持微笑；
2．诚实，乐于助人；
3．懂得与他人合作；
4．其它。
How to be popular
Most people would like to be popular with others，but what is the secret to achieve popularity? In fact，it is very simple．
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Early this morning we were waiting eager at the school gate for two American guests．They were from an university in New York．All of them were going to give us a lecture．At half past seven，Mr.．Jackson，along by his assistant，arrived．As long as their car stopped，we all went up and said hello to them．Then followed our headmaster，they came to the lecture room in there they gave us a lecture on “American Culture”and another one on “American Senior High School”．They spoke slowly，clearly and loudly，so they could understand most of the lectures．The lectures had interested us a lot．Before that we had a free talk with them and many questions．
Lots people stress out（紧张） about talking in front of the class or getting laughed at if they make a mistake in front of an audience._71_ The “stress hormones” that your body produces at times like these can actually help you focus.
But when worry and stress about performing get to be too much, these hormones give people that “red alert(紧急状态)”---the one that causes you to feel cold or sweaty, or get butterflies in your stomach._72__
Be prepared. __73_ Rehearse(排练) as much as you can and practice in front of others at every opportunity. Most of all, think positively. Tell yourself “I’ll be OK” or “I can do this” even if you are not 100% sure of it.
Look after yourself. Before big performances, it’s easy to let taking care of yourself slip as you spend too much time on rehearsals and practice. __74__ Exercise can also can also help you feel good, and along with sleep and nutrition, is an excellent way of keeping those stress hormones from getting out of control.
Find out what the experts do. You can find books, DVD, and online information about how to give your best when you perform, depending on what type of performance you’re preparing for._75_ Or ask the cast of your school play or your drama or music teacher how they beat stage fright. And if your parents or grandparents ever performed, they may have their own secrets to share.
A Confidence helps beat stress hormones.
B The following tips can help you avoid that feeling.
C You’re less likely to freeze up if you’re well prepared.
D You can do this whether you’re performing alone or as part of a group.
E Check out stories about Olympic gymnasts or your favorite star to get their tips.
F Feeling nervous before a performance is part of body’s way of helping you do your best.
G You’ll look and feel your best if you get enough sleep and eat healthy meals before your performance.
