Many of us feel uneasy when someone stands too close to us, talks to us too loudly or makes eye contact(接触) with us for too long. But have you ever wondered why those things make you uncomfortable?
It’s all about personal peace, which means not only an imaginary space around the body, but also the space around all the senses. People feel that their space is being violated(侵犯) when they meet with an unwelcome sound, smell or look. This is probably why a man on a crowded bus shouting into his mobile phone or a woman next to you putting on strong perfume(香水) makes you feel angry.
Whether people have had a stronger wish to protect their personal space in recent times is hard to say. Yet studies of airlines show that people have a strong desire(渴望) to have space to themselves. In a survey by TripAdvisor, a travel website, people said that if they had to pay more for some extra service, they would rather have larger seats than extra food.
Although people may need their personal space, some hardly realize it. For example, people on a bus who hold newspapers in front of their faces to read in fact keep a distance from strangers.
Go and watch a library table. You will notice that one of the corner seats will usually be taken first, because they are the farthest way. What if someone sits opposite to you? Maybe you will pile up books as if to make a wall.
Preference(偏好) for personal space are different from culture to culture. Scientists have found that Americans generally prefer more personal space than people from other cultures. In Latin(拉丁人的) cultures, however, people are more comfortable standing close to each other.
1.The writer mainly _________ in this article.
A.tells us how to achieve personal space
B.explains why people need personal space
C.introduces some knowledge about personal space
D.argues for the importance of keeping personal space
2.Who might feel his personal space is safe according to the passage?
A.A person who has to sit next to a lady putting on strong perfume.
B.A person who has been watched by a stranger for a long time.
C.A person who hears strange noises when reading at home.
D.A Latin boy who is chatting with a friend sitting close to him.
3.What can we know from the survey by TripAdvisor?
A.People need a smaller personal space in recent times than before.
B.People have a strong desire for personal space in recent times.
C.There are not enough seats on the plane to meet people’s needs.
D.Food service is better provided than seats on the plane.
4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The space around the body is more needed than that around all the senses.
B.If you hold newspapers on the bus, your personal space won’t be violated.
C.People usually choose the corner seats first in a library for personal space.
D.Different cultures share the same preferences for personal space.
German chancellor (总理) Angela Merkel may look like an ordinary woman. She dresses plainly and doesn’t show much emotion. But don’t let appearances fool you.
As the first woman Chancellor in Germany’s history, Merkel has topped Forbes magazine’s list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” six times. She has even been compared to Margaret Thatcher and many people call her “Iron Lady”.
Merkel was born in Hamburg, West Germany, on July 17, 1954. As a small child, she quickly learned to speak but took longer to walk. “I was a stupid person when it came to moving,” Merkel said. “A normal person could do something naturally, but I had to think about it in my mind and practice.” As a teenager, she was the top student in high school. In 1973, Merkel went to the University of Leipzig, where she studied physics. At 32, she got her doctor’s degree in physics.
She stepped into politics (政坛) in 1989. In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background and strong will proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s Chancellor. Through her political career, Merkel’s persistence (坚持) and patience helped her a lot. “She’s bright and open-minded,” said Hubert Markl, a German biologist. “She is the person who wants to know exactly what is going on, and how never giving up will influence our society and future.”
1.The first two paragraphs tell us that Angela Merkel _____.
A.is no different from an ordinary woman B.is the first woman Chancellor in Germany
C.is the richest woman in the world D.learns everything from Margaret Thatcher
2.When she was a small child, Merkel _____.
A.didn’t like to walk B.was slow in learning to speak
C.was not good at learning to walk D.thought she was not as clever as other kids
3.According to the story, Merkel _____.
A.didn’t study well when she was in high school B.studied politics in the University of Leipzig
C.worked for the government at the age of 35 D.did a job in the scientific field in 1994
4.What does Hubert Markl think of Merkel?
A.She cares only about politics. B.She isn’t fit for the position.
C.She doesn’t like to listen to others. D.She is a person with strong will.
5.What does the story mainly talk about?
A.How to be a powerful woman. B.The story of Angela Merkel.
C.Differences between two great women. D.An introduction to German politics.
Times Supermarket
Office secretaries and accountants needed. Experience preferred but not necessary.
Good pay. Free lunch. Training provided.
Office secretaries:
university education.
a good standard of Chinese and English.
kind, pleasant and confident.
communication skills.
Accountants:
college education.
certificate（证书）in accounting（会计学）.
careful and patient.
a good standard of English.
Face-to-face interview with Manager Jeff Smith: 9 a.m. –5 p.m. every day, except weekends. Applications by letter to Jeff Smith also welcome.
Address: Block 3, Ninth Street, Sunshine Town.
Don’t try to call or email us !
1.How many ways are there for job applicants to contact Jeff Smith?
A.One. B.Two. C.Three. D.Four.
2.If Sam gets the job as an office secretary or an accountant in Times Supermarket, __________.
A.he will get a lower pay
B.he needn’t pay for three meals
C.he will have chances to be trained
D.he will have to interview the manager every day
3.Which of the following is NOT necessary for job applicants（求职者）?
A.Much experience. B.Good English
C.Good personalities D.Educational backgrounds.
A Little Coaching (指导)
I always felt nervous at the running race. I was too thin to be an athlete. So when our class needed a ________ in the two mile race around the lake, I hoped ______ would notice me.
I hid under a ________ when our teacher Bronto called the names of the runners. I got more nervous when I heard he called, “Noah! Where’s Noah? He’s in this race!”
He saw me under the tree and shouted, “Noah, we ________ a boy to run the two mile race.” He pushed me to the starting line. I pleaded(恳求) with him. “I don’t know the way around the lake!”
“It’s not a problem. Just _______ Craig and you’ll know the way.” Bronto smiled. Craig was the fastest runner in our class. Then Bronto said, “For the last hundred meters, ______ throw your head back and run.”
I stood next to Craig and trembled(颤抖). Then I heard the gun and sixteen of us started to run. I ran ______ behind Craig.
But gradually(逐步地), the distance(距离) between Craig and me became wider.
It was ______. I felt very tired. My energy was spent. I was about to ______. But then I looked ahead(向前) and _______ only three boys were in front of me. The crowd was shouting, but I could hear Bronto shouting, “Run!”
I threw my head back and told my legs to go. I never looked ahead and I never looked back for those last hundred meters. I felt ________. Nobody was telling me what I was, or what I wasn’t. My legs were running a race against my brain and I was winning!
I didn’t know when I crossed the finishing line. Bronto caught me and shouted, “You flew! You flew, man! ________! You passed two boys!”
However, the best prize that I got was _______. That year I discovered I could do a lot ______ I believe myself and put my energy into them.
I never got to say goodbye to Bronto right after the race. But later, I saw him over the lake. He was coaching another kid. I had no ______ that the kid was also going to win.
1.A.runner B.jumper C.swimmer D.diver
2.A.somebody B.anybody C.nobody D.everybody
3.A.desk B.tree C.bed D.chair
4.A.get B.teach C.help D.need
5.A.forget B.beat C.follow D.trust
6.A.also B.just C.still D.yet
7.A.slowly B.hardly C.closely D.happily
8.A.surprising B.difficult C.boring D.wonderful
9.A.catch up B.come up C.hurry up D.give up
10.A.saw B.heard C.guessed D.remembered
11.A.nervous B.tired C.free D.lucky
12.A.First B.Second C.Third D.Fourth
13.A.love B.respect C.teamwork D.confidence
14.A.before B.unless C.until D.if
15.A.question B.doubt C.value D.thought
—I’m sorry I’m late,Tony, but the bus broke down, and there were no taxis.
—________Auther.I have just got here myself, so I wasn’t waiting for long.
A.It’s my pleasure B.Enjoy your time. C.That’s all right. D.Good idea.
I will spend as much time as I________ English next term.
A.to learning B.to learn C.can learn D.can learning
