Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.

In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the“I to you” approach while Japan，the “you to you” approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation(冲突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person’s point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual(相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.

Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management(管理人员) and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on “bottom-up direction”, ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.

Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal falls through, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a “you to you” approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressing for a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.

On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonder at the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag(落后) behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.

1. The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world         .

A. face great difficulty in making decisions 

B. are different in decision-making styles

C. have all members contribute to a decision  

D. have two approaches: “I to you” and “you to I”

2.Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?

A. They carry out the decision once it is made.

B. There are many meetings in their businesses.

C. They work to achieve harmony in doing business.

D. They are good at handling confrontation situation.

3.The author’s attitude towards Japanese decision-making is         .

A. positive     B. critical    C. negative     D. casual(无所谓的）

So you're between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey--more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people aged 13-24 -- conducted by The Associated Press on the nature of happiness among America's young people.

Next was spending time with friends. And good news for parents: Nearly three quarters of young people say their relationship __________ makes them happy.

"They're my foundation," says Kristiana St. John, 17, a high-school student from Queens in New York. "My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she's still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed."

Other results are more disconcerting. While most young people are happy overall with the way their lives are going, there are racial differences: the poll shows whites to be happier than blacks and Hispanics. A lot of young people feel stress, particularly those from the middle class, and females more than males.    

You might think money would be clearly tied to a general sense of happiness. But almost no one said "money" when asked what makes them happy, though people with the highest family incomes are generally happier with life. However, having highly educated parents is a stronger predictor of happiness than income.

Overwhelmingly, young people think marriage would make them happy and want to be married some day. Most also want to have kids.

Finally, when asked to name their heroes, nearly half of respondents mentioned one or both of their parents. The winner, by a nose: Mom.

1. What is the best title of the passage? (Please answer within 10 words)

2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?

Although most youths are generally happy with their present life. There are differences between different races.  

3. Please fill in the blank in the second paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence. (Please answer within 10 words)

4. What do you think is the most important factor that makes you happy? Why? (Please answer within 30 words)

5. Translate the underlined sentence into Chinese.

While I was having dinner with a well-known author and lecturer, our conversation drifted to money. “I have enough money,” he told me casually. “I don’t need any more money.”

         “Of course you can say that,” I thought to myself. “You get fifteen thousand dollars for a lecture.”

         Then I caught my thought process, and pondered(仔细考虑)more deeply on his statement. Is he satisfied because he has a lot of money, or does he have a lot of money because he chooses to be satisfied?

         I know people with more money than this man, and they still don’t have enough. And I know people with very little money, and they always have enough. So is enoughness something that happens to us when we reach a certain level, or is it an experience we can choose and celebrate at any time?

         My friends Adrian and Carey live in a humble cottage in the rainforest. They have quite a modest income, no telephone, and they walk around naked most of the time. I think they are the happiest people I know. They wake up with the sun, love each other very much, and welcome guests with a full and open heart. They appreciate every moment of their lives, have no distraction games going, and are not waiting for the big break around the corner. When I am with them, the predominant（主要的）feeling I have is, “It’s all right here—why would anyone want anything more?”

        Ram Dass used to say, “There are three kinds of people in the world: those who say, ‘Too much!’; those who say, ‘Not enough!’; and those who say, “Ah, just right!’”; Since “too much” of one thing implies “not enough” of another, there are really only two approaches to life: lack or contentment.

1.From the first paragraph, we can infer that the lecturer ___________.

         A. was living a happy life                             B. was careless about his money

         C. was satisfied with his life                                D. was rich enough to live a happy life

2.We learn from the underlined part that ____________.

         A. it’s money that is of importance                   B. it’s not money but the attitude that matters

         C. we don’t have to have much money            D. we won’t have enough money in life

3.What does the author think of Adrian and Carey’s life?

         A. They have no guests.                                      B. They have all they want.

         C. They live a very hard life.                                 D. They live a very happy life.

4.According to the last paragraph, people have two different attitudes towards life: ____________.

         A. not enough or too much                                  B. lack or too much

         C. lack or contentment                                         D. just right or enough

5.Which of the following best suits the passage?

         A. Nothing is better than a contented mind.

         B. Where there is a will, there is a way.

         C. Practice makes perfect.

         D. Better late than never.

Taking the train is a wonderful way to see America.In the 19th century,train routes appeared from coast to coast,carrying both people and goods Today,a long-distance Amtrak train trip is a different way to experience the United States.

The long-distance Amtrak trains have lots of room.Coach seats have lots of leg room and wide aisles(走廊),sightseeing lounges(休闲室) have large windows,and sleeping areas can provide a good night’s rest.On a train trip,there’s time to talk,play cards or board games,and read to one another.On a car trip,parents have to drive while on a train,parents can sit back and watch the scenery go by.Unlike an airplane,traveling by train is not the quickest way to arrive at your destination;the train is the destination in itself.

Amtrak manages long-distance trains that run through the United States.Routes have different names,such as Empire Builder,California Zephyr,Sunset Limited and Southwest Chief.The long-distance trains have double-decker cars(Superliners), sightseeing lounges, and a real dining car.On shorter trains,such as from New York to Washington.DC,the cars are single level and only have a snack bar.In the Superliner trains,the sightseeing lounge is lined with windows on the second level while on the lower level a snack bar and tables can be found.In the evening,videos are shown in the lounge car—either entertaining movies or documentaries.

Tip:As delays are common on Amtrak trains,always call the station before you go there.Otherwise,you may be cooling your heels(脚后跟) for hours.

1.What’s the advantage of seeing America by train?

  A.There are more services on the train than any other

  B.Traveling by train is the quickest way to reach your destination.

  C.Traveling by train gives people more time to see and do things.

  D.The trains like Amtrak allow people to enjoy the journey cheaply.

2.Which of the following can be found on short-distance Amtrak trains?

  A.Sleeping areas.               B.Snack bars.    

C.Sightseeing lounges.           D.Coach seats.

3..What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?

  A.You will have to wait.                       B.You make your heel cool.

  C.You will have no place to stand on the train.      D.Your feet will be hurt on the train.

4..Which of the following about Superliners is true?

  A.There are lines of windows on the lower level.     B.The snack bar is on the higher level.

  C.A sightseeing lounge is on the upper level.        D.Both levels are equipped with videos.

Lacrosse（长曲棍球）is a popular sport in Canada. It is one of the oldest organized sports in America. The Indians in northern New York State and southern Ontario, Canada, invented it. They used it to train for war. They invented this game before Columbus arrived in the New World.

    People play lacrosse outdoors. The lacrosse field is seven metres long. At each end of the field there is a net. There are ten players on each team. Each player has a stick called “crosse”. The players hit a ball that is 21 centimetres around and weighs 140 grams. They try to hit the ball into the net as many times as possible. Lacrosse is a very fast game because the players can catch and pass the ball at a high speed with their sticks.

    At one time lacrosse was the national summer sport in Canada. It is also popular in Britain and Australia.

1.

________ invented the popular sport — Lacrosse.

A. The British            B. The Spanish      C. The Indians      D. The Australians

2.

 Lacrosse was invented because it was used to ________.

A. honour God             B. have fun             C. lose weight      D. train for war

3.

The seven-metre-long lacrosse field has _________.

A. only one net                               B. one net at each end

C. two nets at each end                       D. four nets at each end

4.

 Who will be the winner in the lacrosse game? ________.

A. The team who hit the ball into the net more times

B. The team who catch and pass the ball faster

C. The team who have many more stronger players

D. The team who use sticks to hit the ball farther