Once there lived a rich man 1. wanted to do something for the people of his town. 2. first he wanted to find out whether they deserved his help. In the centre of the main road into the town, he placed 3. very large stone. Then he 4. (hide ) behind a tree and waited. Soon an old man came along with his cow.
“Who put this stone in the centre of the road?” said the old man, but he did not try to remove the stone. Instead, with some difficulty he passed around the stone and continued on his way. 5. man came along and did the same thing; then another came, and another. All of them complained about the stone but not tried to remove 6. . Late in the afternoon a young man came along. He saw the stone, 7. (say) to himself: “The night 8. (be) very dark. Some neighbors will come along later in the dark and will fall against the stone.”
Then he began to move the stone. He pushed and pulled with all his 9. (strong) to move it. How great was his surprise at last! 10. the stone, he found a bag of money.
There is an English saying, “___1.____” Until recently, few people took the saying seriously. Now however, doctors have begun to look into laughter and the effects it has on the human body. _____2._____
Tests were carried out to study the effects of laughter on the body. People watched funny films while doctors checked their heart, blood pressure, breathing and muscles. It was found that laughter has similar effects to physical exercise. ___3.___ If laughter exercises the body, it must be beneficial.
Other tests have shown that laughter appears to be able to reduce the effect of pain on the body. In one experiment doctors produced pain in groups of students who listened to different radio programmes. The group that tolerated the pain for the longest time was the group which listened to a funny programme. ____4.____
___5._____ They have found that even if their patients do not really feel like laughing, making them smile is enough to produce beneficial effects similar to those caused by laughter.
A. Laughter can surely last one's life.
B. As a result of these discoveries, some doctors in the United States now hold laughter clinics, in which they help to improve their patients' condition by encouraging them to laugh.
C. The reason why laughter can reduce pain seems to be that it helps to produce a kind of chemical in the brain which diminishes both stress and pain.
D. It increases blood pressure, makes the heart beat quicker and makes people breathe deeper; it also works several groups of muscles in the face, the stomach, and even the feet.
E. They have proved that laughter can really cure any disease if people keep a good state of mind.
F. Laughter is the best medicine.
G. They have found that laughter really can improve people's health.
Mrs. Janes gave music lessons at a school. She had a good voice and enjoyed singing, except that some of her high tones sound like a gate that had forgotten to oil. Mrs. Janes knew her weakness well, and took every chance she could find to practise these high notes. As she lived in a small house, where she could not practise without disturbing the rest of the family, she usually went for long walks along the country roads whenever she had time and practised her high notes there. Whenever she heard a car or a person coming along the road, she stopped and waited until she could no longer be heard before she started practicing again, because she was a shy person.
One afternoon, a fast, opened car came up behind her so silently and so fast that she didn't hear it until it was only a few yards from her. She was singing some of her highest and most difficult tones at that time and as the car passed; she saw an anxious expression came over the driver's face. He stopped his car suddenly, jumped out and began to examine all his tyres carefully. Mrs. Janes didn't dare to tell him what the noise he had heard really was, so he got back into the car and drove off.
1.How did Mrs. Janes sing?
A. She sang well, but she didn't practise singing hard.
B. She enjoyed singing, but she had a terrible voice.
C. She was a good singer, but she could not sing the high tones well.
D. She sang terribly, she was no singer at all.
2.Why did she go for long walks along the country roads?
A. Because she enjoyed the country's fresh air.
B. Because she was afraid to disturb the rest of the family.
C. Because she lived in a small house far away.
D. Because she was afraid to practise the high tones.
3.Why did the driver stop his car suddenly and jump out of it?
A. Because he supposed something must have gone wrong with his car.
B. Because he was moved by the pretty voice of Mrs. Janes.
C. Because he wondered what had happened to Mrs. Janes.
D. Because he frightened by the terrible voice of Mrs. Janes.
4.Where did the noise come from?
A. From the small house. B. From Mrs. Janes' voice.
C. From the types. D. From the engine.
Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But a long time ago, it wasn't easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn't exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin's work was making musical instruments. In his spare time he liked to play the violin. Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball (化装舞会). He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party. He had an idea. He thought he would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin. Everyone was astonished to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. He rolled on and on. Suddenly, he ran into a huge mirror that was hanging on the wall. Down fell the mirror, breaking to pieces. Nobody forgot Merlin's grand entrance for a long time!
1.The text is mainly about _______.
A. a strange man
B. an unusual party
C. how roller skating began
D. how people enjoyed themselves in the 18th century
2.People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he _______.
A. often gave others surprises
B. was a gifted musician
C. invited the roller skates
D. was full of imagination
3.Merlin put wheels under his shoes in order to _______.
A. impress the party guests
B. arrived at the party sooner
C. test his invention
D. show his skill in walking on wheels
As you grow older, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions--like whether to cut class or try cigarettes. Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it's called peer pressure. Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone's reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other. Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them; your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball. It is tough to be the only one who says “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. You've probably had a parent or teacher advising you to “choose your friends wisely.” Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don't cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won't do these things either, even if other kids do. If you continue to face peer pressure and you're finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Don't feel guilty if you've made a mistake or two.
1.For whom is the passage most probably written?
A. Students. B. Parents.
C. Teachers. D. Doctors.
2.In the last three paragraphs, the author mainly_____.
A. explains why friendship is so important
B. gives advice on how to deal with peer pressure
C. discusses how peers influence us
D. shows how to make more good friends
3.Which of following may help handle peer pressure?
A. Spending more time with classmates.
B. Taking up more relaxing hobbies.
C. Choosing friends with no bad habits.
D. Helping others who are in trouble.
4.What is the topic of the passage?
A. Friendship. B. Making decisions
C. Self-confidence D. Peer pressure
Wanted, Someone for a Kiss
We're looking for producers to join us on the sound of London Kiss 100 FM. You'll work on the station's music programmes. Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100.
Father Christmas
We're looking for a very special person, preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.
Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to
December 24 except Sundays, 10:30-16:00.
Excellent pay.
Please contact (联系) the Enterprise Shopping Centre, Station Parade, Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.
Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
If you are aged 24 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make your own decisions, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of £15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.
1.Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?
A. Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100.
B. Mrs Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.
C. The Enterprise Shopping Centre.
D. Wealden District Council.
2.We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who________.
A. is aged between 24 and 40
B. may do some training work
C. should deal with general duties
D. can work for about a month
3.Which position is open to recent school graduates?
A. Producer, London Kiss.
B. Father Christmas.
C. Accountants Assistant.
D. Software Trainer.
4.What kind of person would probably apply to Palmlace Limited?
A. One with GCSE grade C level.
B. One with some office experience.
C. One having good computer knowledge.
D. One trained in producing music programmes.
