An idea came to me, and I turned off the lights in the studio. In the darkness, I took off my shirt and took
up the cello (大提琴); it was the first time in my life I'd felt the instrument against my bare chest. I'd never
thought about that; music scholars always talk about the resonating properties (共振) of various instruments,
but surely the performer's own body must have some effect on the sound. As I dug into the notes I imagined
that my own chest and lungs were extensions of the sound box; I seemed to be able to change the sound by
the way I sat, and by varying the muscular tightness in my upper body.
     After improvising for a while, I started playing, still in the darkness. I heard the music through my skin.
For the first time I didn't think about how it would sound to anyone else, and slowly, joyfully, gratefully, I
started to hear again. The notes sang out, first like a trickle, then like a fountain of cool water bubbling up
from a hole in the middle of a desert. After an hour or so I looked up, and in the darkness saw the outline of
the cat sitting on the floor in front of me, cleaning her paws and purring loudly. I had an audience again,
humble as it was.
     So that's what I do now with my cello. At least once a day I find time to tune it, close my eyes and listen.
It's probably not going to lead to the kind of comeback I'd be thirsty for-years of playing badly have left scars
on my technique-but I might eventually try giving a concert if I feel up.to it. Occasionally I feel a stab of
longing, and I wish I could give just one more concert on a great stage before my lights blink off, but that
longing passes more quickly now. I take comfort in the fact that, unlike the way I felt before, I can enjoy
playing for myself now. I feel relaxed and expansive when I play, as if I could stretch out my arms and reach
from one end of the apartment to the other. A feeling of completeness and dignity surrounds me and lifts me
up.

1. The writer put the cello against his bare chest to _____.

A. test music scholars' ideas about the resonating properties
B. experience the effect of his body on the musical sound
C. reduce his muscular tightness in his upper body
D. check the function of the sound box

2. In Paragraph 2, the writer intends to _____.

A. explain his feelings of playing before a cat
B. identify specific pieces of music he played
C. express his feelings of playing against his body
D. describe the sound when he played against his body

3. From the last paragraph we can infer that the writer was _____.

A. optimistic
B. discouraged
C. nervous
D. enthusiastic

4. The passage is mainly about _____.

A. a musician playing the cello for an audience
B. a musician's feelings when playing the cello
C. a musician finding joy in playing music in a new way
D. a musician's desire to return to his former profession

     To forgive may be great, but no one ever said it was easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be
extremely difficult to let go of your anger. But forgiveness is possible-and it can be surprisingly beneficial to
your physical and mental health. 1_____
     So how do you start the recovering? Try following these steps:
     Calm yourself. 2_____ You just take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure:
a beautiful scene in nature, someone you love.
     Don't wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you has no intention of apologizing. 3_____
So if you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time.
     Take the control away from your offender (冒犯者). 4_____ Instead of focusing on your wounded
feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you. 
     5_____ If you understand that person, you may realize that he or she was acting out of ignorance, feat-
even love. To gain the same feeling, you may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender's point
of view.
     Don't forget to forgive yourself. For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge. But it
can rob you of your self-confidence if you don't do it.

A. There are several ways to forgive and forget.
B. It can help reduce the wearing out of the immune system and allow people to feel more energetic.
C. Recognize the benefits of forgiveness.
D. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don't see things the same way.
E. Mentally replaying your hurt gives power to the person who caused your pain.
F. Try to see things from the other person's position.
G. To stop your anger, try a simple stress-management technique.

     You know those days when it seems the world isn't on your side? When everything seems to go wrong.
However trivial (乏味的)? Well, now there's a cure-a website with the sole aim of putting a smile on your
face. The site 1000 awesomethings.com. lists those small, everyday pleasures which make life worthwhile
from finding a missing sock to pushing the button for the lift and finding that it is already waiting.
     It is the brainchild of Neil Pasricha, 30, who, beset by personal problems (his wife left him, for a start),
decided to write down one happy thought every day for 1 000 days.
     Since Neil launched the website in June 2008, it has had 17 million visitors and currently attracts more
than 50 000 people a day. Here are some of the most fanciful ideas but heart-warming thoughts...
     -Drawing on steamed-up mirrors with your fingers
     -Seeing on the television that the weather is much worse somewhere else
     -Throwing something at the rubbish bin and getting it in
     -When a book opens on the page you were looking for
     -Brushing your teeth with a new toothbrush
     -When the phone rings and it's the person you were just thinking about
     -When the thing you were already going to buy is reduced in the sale
     -Laughing at friends' passport photographs

1. What can make life worthwhile in the author's opinion?

A. Earning more money than others.
B. Establishing your own website.
C. Achieving your goal of being a celebrity.
D. A long hug when you need it.

2. Neil Pasricha launched the website because _____.

A. he decided to get rid of his personal problems
B. he wanted to find a new wife
C. he wanted to share his troubles with others
D. people are not as happy as before

3. What are the thoughts listed on the website like?

A. Common, fanciful and heart-warming.
B. Rare, small and pleasing.
C. Attractive, common and unforgettable.
D. Happy, humourous and coincidental.

     In modern societies the media is full of pictures of "ideal (理想的) bodies". The "perfect" male is handsome,
tall and muscular and their "perfect" female equivalent is beautiful, firm and seemingly impossibly thin. These
"perfect" people are seen to have happiness, wealth and partners. The hidden message is "be like this and you
can have these things, too". This is what creates the pressure in most people-aspiring to these idealized body
images. We want these things and we think this is the way to get them. This pressure affects a lot of men and
women and, increasingly, boys and girls.
     Many people ignore the fact that the idealized body images that surround them are just that idealized and
actually impossible for most of us. This can lead to poor self-esteem (自尊) and lack of confidence.
     Remember the vast majority of people don't have perfect bodies. It doesn't actually mean you can't have the
positive things. The biggest myth is there are many ways to be attractive beyond the stereotype, It's certainly
not always the best-looking person that gets the girl or guy.
     Most of us are much more likely to talk and get to know somebody who is friendly and approachable rather
than a more physically attractive self-centered person. Recognize your advantages and make the most of them
rather than dwell on imperfections. Your attitude towards yourself makes a big difference. Lack of confidence
in your appearance can lead you to behave in defensive ways that appear unfriendly, and this behavior is likely
to put people off rather than your appearance.
     Believing in yourself and feeling good about your appearance will help automatically send off more positive
signals of yourself. So don't waste time trying to be a second-class somebody else but get on with being a first-
class you!

1. What do we know about "ideal bodies"? 

A. They are perfect male and female models created by modern media.
B. They are not real men and women but something in the pictures.
C. They are believed to represent wealth, power and happiness.
D. They are one of the sources of jealousy for many ordinary people.

2. What is the mistake most people make when they look at the ideal bodies?

A. Most people want to be as wealthy and happy as the ideal bodies.
B. Most people think that it is the best way to achieve their personal goals.
C. Most people use those ideal bodies as examples for their children.
D. Most people ignore the fact that ideal bodies are impossible for them.

3. From the passage we probably know that _____.

A. physically attractive people are more welcomed by others
B. people full of confidence will be attractive to those around
C. ideal bodies are the only type of people that will be loved
D. most people with ideal bodies behave in a defensive way

4. What is the proper attitude to your appearance?

A. Be proud of it, if you are good-looking.
B. Cry over it, if you are an ugly-looking guy.
C. Make the best of your appearance to make profits.
D. Be confident, whether you are good-looking or not.

5. What does the last sentence of the passage imply?

A. It is waste of time to imitate those perfect people. Do try to be yourself.
B. You are always the best and all other people are the second class.
C. It is better to be a second class of others than a first class of yourself.
D. It is impossible to be both a second class somebody and a first-class you.

     Time spent in a bookshop can be most enjoyable, whether you are a book-lover or merely you are there
to buy a book as a present. You may even have entered the shop just to find shelter from a sudden shower.
Whatever the reason, you can soon become totally unaware of your surroundings. You soon become engrossed
in some book or other, and usually it is only much later that you realise you have spent far too much time there
and must dash off to keep some forgotten appointment-without buying a book, of course.
     This opportunity to escape the realities of everyday life is, I think, the main attraction of a bookshop. There
are not many places where it is possible to do this. You can wander round such places to your heart's content.
If it is a good shop, no assistant will disturb you with usual greetings,"Can I help you, sir?" Of course you may
want to find out where a particular section is. Then, and only then, are his services necessary. However, when
he has led you there, the assistant should retire carefully and look as if he is not interested in selling a single
book.
     You have to be careful not to be attracted by the variety of books in a bookshop. It is very easy to enter the
shop looking for a book on ancient coins and to come out carrying a copy of the latest best-selling novel. This
sort of thing can be very dangerous. Apart from running up a huge account, you can waste a great deal of time
wandering from section to section.

1. Which may not be included in the writer's experiences while he is in a bookshop?

A. Getting relaxed without buying a book.
B. Quarrelling with the shop assistant.
C. Buying other books instead of those he wanted.
D. Forgetting some important appointment.

2. What does the writer mean by saying "time spent in a bookshop can be most enjoyable"?

A. You may free yourself from the real life.
B. Reading is free of charge there.
C. There is nobody disturbing you there.
D. You can enter without any certain reason.

3. What does the underlined word engrossed most probably mean in the first paragraph?

A. Lost.
B. Forbidden.
C. Puzzled.
D. Impressed.

4. The writer wrote the passage in order to _____.

A. suggest a good way of running a bookshop
B. encourage people to do some reading in bookshops
C. share his experience in bookshops
D. give some advice on buying books in a bookshop

     What kind of life do you seek for? One that is frustrating and full of complaints every day? Or one that
is filled with thankfulness, gratefulness and a positive mind?
     The moment we open our eyes each day, we should be grateful that we are still alive. We are given a
brand-new day. We are given another day to love. We are given another day of hope. We are given another
chance to do whatever we have failed to accomplish. Those who have chosen to leave this place do not have
any second chance.
     We should be grateful every day. By being grateful, we will treasure the things around us. We will learn
to appreciate life in a better way. Treat others better and find ourselves in a better mood every day. When
we are thankful and grateful for the things we have, the universe tends to give us more.
     By being thankful and grateful for our personal health, we will focus our attention on it and we would
want to have a better well-being for our health. We will want to eat healthier food to nourish our body. After
all, the body is the temple of our soul. We have to treat it well so that it can carry us a longer journey in life.
     When we face problems in life, be thankful and grateful too. They are designed specificall for us so that
we will be stronger and wiser. We are like a strong oak tree, facing the harsh weathers time to time. After
each storm, we will grow stronger and strengthen our foundations for the next harsh weather.
     The year 2010 has come to an end. Have you achieved what you aimed for in the past year? Be grateful
for those you have achieved and especially for those you have not-both successes and failures. Failures and
mistakes will give you valuable lessons. So, pick yourself up and try again this year. Good luck!

1. According to the text, how many kinds of life are mentioned?

A. One.
B. Two.
C. Three.
D. Four.

2. What does the word"harsh" underlined in the text refer to?

A. severe
B. pleasant
C. fine
D. mild

3. According to the text, the life filled with thankfulness should be the following except that we _____.

A. learn to enjoy our life in a better way
B. face problems in life and choose to leave
C. focus our attention on our health
D. treat others better and find ourselves in a better mood

4. The sentence "We are like a strong oak tree..." in the fifth paragraph, we can see that the author used the
    writing technique of _____.

A. telling a fairy story
B. stating facts
C. discussing matters
D. imitating things

5. What would be the best title for the text?

A. Kinds of Life
B. Be Positive
C. Be Grateful Every Day
D. Pick Yourself Up

     Once many years ago, I pulled a family out of a burning car somewhere in Wyoming. Last week I received
a telephone call from a woman who could not stop crying as she told me that one of my stories had saved her
son from committing suicide. In closing she called me a hero.
     That got me thinking about what a hero really is. Was I a hero because I pulled a family from a burning car?
If so, how could I be a hero just because I wrote a story that saved someone's life?
     Today I decided to look up the word "hero" in the dictionary to see exactly what it meant. It read "a person
who does something brave". As I read on, it also said "a person who is good and noble".
     That statement impressed me more than the part about being brave. So I thought about something very
important. Say I was walking into the local Wal-Mart Store and I happened to open, and hold the door for
someone as a courtesy. As they passed me by, I say, "How are you today?" Most of the time that would be no
big deal, but this time let's say it was for someone who was deeply depressed and near the end of the rope.
That may have very well been the only kindness or courtesy shown to them in a very long time.
     Having been near "the end of my rope", after my marriage of twenty years ended, I was in such a condition.
I was within hours trying to get up enough courage to end the pain and misery. When I returned home,
someone had sent me a card in the mail which told me how much they would appreciate me as a friend. That
wonderful card probably saved my life. That person, without even knowing it, saved a life and became a hero.
     The many stories I-kept writing in the following years saved the life of a teenage boy. In turn that makes
the person who sent me the card a double hero. I suppose that is why I fight so hard to help the children now
living in orphanages (孤儿院). Most children come out of these institutions with a very hard and bitter attitude
against the world. The gifts we send them let them know that they have not been forgotten. Hopefully, most of
them will never hurt anyone because of the kindness shown to them by those of us who cared. If it works, we
will also become "heroes".
     Gee, who would have ever thought that anyone can become a hero, and, possibly save a life, just by being
kind and courteous to others? The best part of all is that becoming a hero is free to all who wish to wear such
an honor.

1. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

A. Why Should You Be A Hero?
B. What Exactly Is A Hero?
C. I Am A Hero
D. Everyone Is A Hero

2. The underlined word "courtesy" in Paragraph 4 means the behaviour that is _____.

A. both polite and respectful
B. both brave and fearless
C. both thoughtful and considerate
D. both cute and kind 

3. The underlined word "it" in the last sentence of Paragraph 5 refers to _____.

A. the wonderful card the writer received
B. the action of sending the card
C. the fact that the sender saved the writer
D. the fact that the sender was a true friend

4. According to this passage, which of the following can be considered as the behaviour of a hero?

A. Holding a door open for someone.
B. Sending someone a wonderful card.
C. Keeping writing many stories for children.
D. Being kind to someone who has a hard time.

     I live in Hollywood. You may think people in such an attractive, fun-filled place are happier than others.
If so, you have some mistaken ideas about the nature of happiness.
     Many intelligent people still equate (使相等) happiness with fun. The truth is that fun and happiness have
little or nothing in common. Fun is what we experience during an act. Happiness is what we experience after
an act. It is a deeper, more long-lasting emotion. Going to an amusement park or ball game, watching a movie
or television, are fun activities that help us relax, temporarily forget our problems and maybe even laugh. But
they do not bring happiness, because their positive effects end when the fun ends.
     I have often thought that if Hollywood stars have a role to play, it is to teach us that happiness has nothing
to do with fun. These rich, beautiful individuals have constant access to exciting parties, fancy cars, expensive
homes, and everything that spells "happiness". But in memoir (回忆录) after memoir, celebrities reveal the
unhappiness hidden beneath all their fun.. depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, broken marriages, troubled
children, long-time loneliness.
     The way people hold on to the belief that a fun-filled, pain-free life equates happiness actually decreases
their chances of ever attaining real happiness. If fun and pleasure are equated with happiness, then pain must
be equated with unhappiness. But, in fact, the opposite is true: More often than not, things that lead to happiness
involve some pain.
     As a result, many people avoid the very endeavors or efforts that are the source of true happiness. They
fear the pain inevitably brought by such things as marriage, raising children, professional achievement, religious
commitment, charitable work, and self-improvement.

1. According to the passage, "fun activities" mentioned in the 2nd paragraph _____.

A. are the things we do before we find happiness
B. may help us relax and forget our problems sometimes
C. will lead us to the true happiness
D. could provide long-lasting positive effects

2. In the author's opinion, those Hollywood stars _____.

A possess happiness because they are rich and famous
B. experience almost all kinds of happy things
C. tell us happiness isn't equal to fun using their own stories
D. have to suffer a lot before they become successful

3. It is difficult for people to find real happiness because _____.

A. they believe happiness is the fun life without pain
B. they find pain equals unhappiness
C. they fear to lose what they already have in life
D. they are afraid all their efforts were in vain

4. The main purpose of the text is to _____.

A. describe the difference between happiness and fun
B. show the true meaning of happiness
C. encourage people to pursue fun activities
D. advise people to find their real life