阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Chinese proverbs are rich and they are still widely used 1. Chinese people's daily life. Behind these proverbs, there are often interesting 2. (story). For example, the proverb "plucking up a crop to help it grow" is 3. (base) on the following story.
It is said 4.a short-tempered man in the state of Song was very anxious 5. (help) his rice crops grow up quickly. He was thinking about it day and night. But the crops were growing much slower than he expected.
One day, he came up with an idea that he would pluck up all of 6. (he) crops a few inches. He did so the next day.
He was very tired after finishing doing this for a whole day, 7. he felt very happy since the crops did "grow"8. (high).
His son heard about this and went to see the crops.9. (unfortunate), the leaves of the crops began to wither (枯萎).
This proverb tells us that we should let things go in their natural course. Being anxious to help an event develop often 10. (result) in the contrary to our intention.
Not long before, my daughter's shoes were scratched (划破) with a knife. She burst into tears. I took them to the shoemaker's.
The young apprentice(学徒) glanced at the ______ and said, "Nothing I can do except ______ the upper.” His master looked at them and said, “If you ______ me, I will add more scratches on both the shoes."
I was ______ and asked why.
He explained, “As if the opening were made ______ for a special style."
I didn't fully understand him, ______ I decided to leave the shoes.
Two days later I dropped by from work to ______ the shoes. I found more scratches on each shoe; all the openings were patched (缝补)by soft red leather; the stitches (针脚) were twisted with the appearance looking more ______ and interesting than ever. I couldn't help praising the master's ______.
Another time, my sister's blouse was torn, leaving a large opening. My wife checked it ____ , and then said, "Let me take it home and ______ it."
Three days later, seeing it again, I was greatly ______: all the torn parts took on a look of ice crystal (水晶); attached to it was a snowman made of flowery rags. I sighed with ______, "It's amazing!"
"I was ______ by that shoemaker. Patches are considered to be ______, but a skillful craftsman (工匠) can make it take on a kind of ______.”replied my wife.
Her words inspired(启发) me more: perfection is impossible to achieve in ______; patches appear in the ______ of injury, disability or disease. Since you can't change the existence of wound, you should not ______ people's sympathy(同情)by disclosing the wound, which is meaningless. Just sew(缝)the ______ by patches and produce a most beautiful flower on it, and that is the significance of life.
1.A. scar B. opening C. hole D. mark
2.A. replace B. remove C. throw D. tear
3.A. tell B. show C. agree D. trust
4.A. delighted B. confused C. excited D. astonished
5.A. on purpose B. by chance C. in particular D. in turn
6.A. so B. and C. as D. but
7.A. bring B. collect C. see D. return
8.A. successful B. skillful C. attractive D. positive
9.A. skill B. drill C. performance D. strength
10.A. anxiously B. suddenly C. carefully D. delightedly
11.A. wash B. iron C. save D. mend
12.A. puzzled B. disappointed C. surprised D. touched
13.A. anger B. regret C. praise D. care
14.A. encouraged B. inspired C. moved D. attracted
15.A. common B. beautiful C. ugly D. rare
16.A. difference B. perfection C. newness D. change
17.A. future B. mind C. life D. place
18.A. form B. name C. shape D. need
19.A. treat B. accept C. ignore D. expect
20.A. wound B. pain C. injury D. disability
How to Fight Laziness?
Lazy people will never gain anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.1.. Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation(动力) once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency(趋势) to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.
Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more positive approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone.2..
Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness.3.. Complete a few tasks and reward(回报)yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film.
Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. 4.. Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others at home may finally follow your example and perform their own tasks. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.
5.. Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.
A. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.
B. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.
C. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.
D. To fight family laziness, set an example.
E. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.
F. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.
G. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.
How's your happiness quotient (指数) ? Science tells us that if you want to increase your "happiness quotient" every day, it's important to take time and accept the present blessings (恩赐) in your life.
I wanted to share a moment of feeling about some of my blessings and what's in my life to be grateful for as Thanksgiving approaches.
One of our family traditions at our Thanksgiving meal is to go around the table and to let each one share something we're especially thankful for.
I'm going to recite lots of things, including that I'm grateful for my health, my loving husband, and the wonderful relationship we share. My husband joins me for 3-mile walk to start our day. The exercise habit keeps our moods in check and the ups and downs of life easier to manage. We talk as we walk, sharing ideas, worries and good feelings too. Sometimes we argue a little until we figure out what to do. We always come up with something. What a blessing that is!
It is so much to be grateful for. I feel I am the luckiest woman alive. It's my wish for you that you'll be able to spot something in your life. I hope yet you will savor (体味) and appreciate it.
Many of us spend the holiday with our aging parents or other loved ones. In my work at AgthgParents. com, we just reminded everyone that you never know if there will be another Thanksgiving with these loved ones. We can't take the day for granted. Just be in the moment. We suggest that you verbally give thanks to your parents, no matter what conditions your aging parents may be in now. Do what you can to be tuned in to what you need as well as what your family needs.
1.What’s the best title for the text?
A. Why I'm so lucky? B. How I spend my Thanksgiving Day?
C. How to increase happiness quotient? D. What is happiness quotient?
2.The underlined word "spot" in Paragraph 5 can be replaced by "__________".
A. create B. discover C. do D. affect
3.From the author's experiences we can infer that __________.
A. she lives a happy life B. she should thank everyone
C. she had an unfortunate life D. she likes staying with the old
How often do you exercise? A new study found that most kids aged 12 to 15 weren't getting enough physical activity. The results were based on about 800 kids. As part of the study, the kids tracked and reported on their own activity levels, and took physical exams.
U. S. fitness guidelines suggest an hour or more of physical activity every day. According to the study, only 1in 4 U.S. kids get enough physical activity.
"It's certainly worrying to see that our kids have such a limited amount of physical activity each day,” said Dr. Stephen Pont. He is an expert on children's health.
Few kids in the study met the guidelines on physical activity that raises the heart rate and makes people breathe harder. Overall, about 25% said they got an hour of that kind of exercise every day. Kids also reported on which activities they did most often outside of school gym class--basketball for boys and running for girls.
The study found that fat teenagers were less active than normal-weight girls and boys. Fat girls were slightly less active than normal-weight girls, but levels were similar among overweight and normal-weight boys. The study also said that the percent of fat children aged 2 to 19 was 17%, or about 12.5 million kids.
"There's always room for improvement," said Tala Fakhouri, who was the leader of the study. She also said the results provide useful information to help with fitness campaigns such as Let's Move, which was initiated by Michelle Obama in 2010. To inspire kids to eat right and get in shape, Michelle visits schools and holds exercise events. She also calls on schools to offer regular gym classes.
The study also found kids who get physical education at school may get better grades.
1.What is the result of the new study?
A. 800 kids don't get enough physical activity.
B. Most U.S. kids don't get enough exercise.
C. Kids should get physical activity every day.
D. It's important to take physical exams.
2.Which of the following sports do girls like best?
A. Swimming. B. Basketball. C. Running. D. Gym.
3.What's the purpose of the campaign Let's Move?
A. To help kids to keep fit. B. To provide useful information.
C. To offer regular gym classes. D. To hold exercise events.
4.According to the study children with enough exercise may__________.
A. be less active than fat children B. be more willing to help others
C. do better in their studies D. try their best to get in shape
The British are known for their sense of humour. However, it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes. The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.
Understatement means saying less than you think or feel. For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, "It's a little damp(潮湿的)outside.”Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, "She isn't exactly friendly." Understatement is often used in unpleasant situation or to make another person look silly. Understatement plays an important part in British humour.
Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others. They often laugh about the silly and unpleasant things that happen to our everyday life when someone accidentally falls over in the street. They also like to make jokes about people from different classes of society. They like to make jokes about their accents, the way they dress and the way they behave. What's more, the British love to watch comedies about people who do not know how to behave in society. The comedy series Mr. Bean is a good example of this kind of humour. Mr. Bean is the character created by British actor Rowan Atkinson in 1990.
Mr. Bean doesn't talk often, and instead he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh. Perhaps what makes Mr. Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world cannot do. Mr. Bean is popular in many countries around the world because you do not have to speak English to understand the humour. Because of this, many people have become familiar with the British sense of humour.
1.Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand British jokes?
A. The British often enlarge the fact.
B. British jokes are connected with many different cultures.
C. The British try to make out that something is less important than it is.
D. British jokes are not as funny as jokes in other countries.
2.The author explains understatement by__________.
A. using examples B. making comparisons
C. following time order D. describing a process
3.Mr. Bean makes people laugh by__________.
A. telling funny stories B. making jokes about others' accents
C. copying how others behave D. using his body movements and facial expressions
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A. British Humour in Comedy B. Humour in Different Cultures
C. Developing Your Sense of Humour D. Understanding British Humour
