Raymond Schneider politely elbowed his way through crowds of customers as he made for the candy bins at Dylan’s Candy Bar in Manhattan. Since he was laid off in December, Mr. Schneider, a 33-year-old designer, says he has become a “gummy junkie,” buying a lot of sweets every time he shops for groceries.

“Sugar is comforting,” he said. “There’s nothing more stressful than growing financial insecurity everywhere.”

The recession (经济衰退) seems to have a sweet tooth. As unemployment has risen, Americans, particularly adults, have been consuming growing amounts of candy, say candy makers, store owners and industry experts.

Theories vary on exactly why. For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the economy. For others, candy also provides a reminder of better times. And not insignificantly, it is relatively cheap.

At Candyality, a store in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, business has jumped by nearly 80 percent compared with this time last year, and the owner, Terese McDonald, said she was struggling to keep up with the demand for Bit-O-Honeys, Swedish Fish and Sour Balls.

“They put candy in their actual budget,” she said.

Many big candy makers are also reporting rising sales and surprising profits.

“Candy companies are relatively recession-proof,” said Peter Liebhold, chairman of the Smithsonian Institution’s work and industry division. “During the Great Depression, candy companies stayed in business.”

Raymond Schneider was set as an example to show ________.

A. many Americans were laid off in the recession

B. lots of Americans like candies

C. many Americans in the recession like sweets which are comforting

D. Americans are suffering much in the recession.

What does the underlined sentence “The recession seems to have a sweet tooth” mean?

A. Candy consuming rises while people are suffering bad effects of the recession.

B. The recession doesn’t have any bad effect on Americans.

C. Americans are optimistic even though they are out of employment.

D. Candy companies stayed in business during the Great Depression.

Which is NOT the reason why people in the recession like sugar?

A. It is relatively cheap.

B. It is comforting and can make a lot of profits.

C. It raises people’s spirits up.

D. It calls up people’s good memories.

The best title of the passage is ________.

A. Sugar Is Comforting

B. Candy Companies Stay In Business

C. Americans Have A Sweet Tooth

D. Sugar Sales Rise In The Recession  

There is, for many of us, a moment in life when we make a choice that changes us forever. This moment marks a turning point, when we realize that the life we're living is not a mirror of who we really are.

For some, the moment comes as a result of something dramatic: the sudden loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. For others, they have to deal with difficult situations, such as financial hardship. In these challenging times, it's more critical(关键时刻的) than ever for us to seize the possibility of positive change. As I travel and talk to people about their lives, I often see a distant, vacant look in their eyes -- a look that says “I’m so busy trying to survive my life that no soul left to live it”.

As a result, we end up feeling lonely. Yet we keep on going the way we've been going. We tolerate high levels of stress at work, take important relationships for granted, or put our health needs on hold. We get so caught up in the details of living that our busyness becomes an excuse from the inner voice that begs us to listen. When you finally pay attention to that little voice and begin to make even small changes, you will slowly improve yourself.

To start positive change, you need the power of your mind. I've come up with a five-step strategy that will help you. You will be able to identify what you want and then go after it. It's easier than you might think.

1. Reset your happiness set point. Don't limit yourself! When I decided that I wanted more control over my life, I set goals in physical, emotional, financial, professional, material, and play. I challenged myself to consider every possible choice. Imagine things you've never believed you could achieve. Don't let your past determine your future.

2. Trust your courage. Too often, when you're first learning to take control of your life, you doubt yourself. It's important to develop a strong connection with your inner guidance system. I've heard many stories about the persistent voice inside your head.

3. Take action. Once you have set goals, adjusted your beliefs, and got ready, you can start making things happen. Again, turn to those people you respect -- the ones achieving what you desire -- for support and guidance. They will both inspire you and give you practical advice on what steps you need to take.

4. Have faith. Believe that the positive energy of grace will support your efforts to improve your life. When you've done all you can, let go and trust that the right result will occur. When we have faith, we give up the need to be in control, and we set ourselves up to actually enjoy the process of change.

5. Be patient. This can be the toughest step. It's not easy to trust that your life will improve in a best way. Remind yourself of the benefits of patience. In my experience, those life changes are always worth the wait.

What does the author intend to say in the second paragraph?

A. The start of some turning points in one’s life is caused by crisis.

B. Loss of a job or the death of a loved one are all dramatic things.

C. No one can live a life without any turning points.

D. No one can predict his future of being good or not.

In the author’s opinion, we should ______________.

A. adjust our beliefs from time to time B. always control ourselves for anything

C. keep on going the way we are going   D. seize the challenging times to live an active life

The author suggests that when setting your happiness set points, you should _______.

A. know the limitation of your set point        B. build self-confidence without doubt

C. limit your goals in different ways           D. consider every possible choice with care

Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. When you've done all you can, you may believe that the right result will occur.

B. When you set goals, and take action, it is possible to make things happen.

C. When you first learn to take charge of your life, you will always doubt yourself.

D. If things do not happen in a way that is best, patience is always worth the wait.

I was born in New York, but I grew up in San Francisco. I began to live in London 25 years ago. If I am asked now where I want to live forever, I would say London. But I will always be American.

San Francisco, like London, has many parks. Every day my sisters and I were taken to play in the parks as children. I didn't go to school. I only had three hours of formal education when I was five. I was sent to school in the morning but came home at noon on the first day. I said I didn't enjoy it and hadn't learned anything. My parents thought that school was unsuitable for me. They agreed with me, so I never went back to school.

Then my mother taught me and my two sisters at home, in the way of an English lady who had good education. We learned languages and reading more than sciences and maths. Sometimes she taught us herself, but we also had other teachers. They asked us to take lessons every day. About once a week we walked to Golden Gate Park. While we were walking, my mother taught me to read music. One day I noticed a little toy train in the window of a shop and I remember now how I'd like to have it. I couldn't say "r" when I was small. My mother said if I could say an "r" well, I would have the toy train. I practiced and practiced. Then one morning I woke everybody up with my "r"s. I got the toy train. I usually get the things I want in life — but I work hard for them.

The writer ___ .

A. was born in San Francisco      B. likes living in London

C. is living in New York now      D. doesn't like America

The writer didn't go to school in America because ___ .

A. his mother wanted him to go to school in English

B. his parents didn't think formal education was right for him

C. his mother wanted him to play outdoors in the parks

D. he couldn't get on well with the other children

Which of the following is TRUE?

A. The writer was taught by his mother and other teachers.

B. The writer had no education at all.

C. The writer didn't have lessons every day.

D. The writer walked to the park to learn languages once a week.

The writer got the little toy train at last because ___ .

A. his mother gave him the money

B. he tried his best to read music

C. he wanted it very much

D. his mother was pleased with his progress

This is a story  that happened 15 years ago but it has always stayed with me since then.On the way back from work every evening,more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.He always waved at every car,he was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.Every day after work when I got there，I would quickly roll down my window and give him the coins.Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day.His answer would always be the same，“I’m blessed！”.

It amazed me that even in his situation of being homeless he was so positive，and his answer would remind me of how blessed I was.A single mother of four amazing kids,with a place to call home and with a job to provide for my kids.Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off due to the economy.Needless to say that on my was home that day I was very sad and upset.I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did.I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the homeless man would be.Yet there he was as alway，as l turned the ramp.He set his eyes on me，while still smiling and waving at others.

While I was waiting for the red light to turn，he strolled over to my car.He had a big smile he looked me straight in the eyes and said “today I will give you a dollar”.He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.I was blown away.I burst into tears.I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him！

You see that day he gave me more than a dollar bill，he taught me a valuable lesson.No matter  what material things are taken  from you，no one can take away your choice to be joyful.

What is the passage mainly concerned？

A.A dollar bill from a homeless person.

B.A blessing coming from a homeless person.

C.A woman who lost her job due to the economy.

D.A homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.

From the lst paragraph，we know the homeless man is         .

A.optimistic        B.brave         C.Iazy          D.kind-hearted

After leaving the boss’s office，the author         .

A.felt relaxed to get rid of the tiring job

B.still felt joyful when coming off the ramp

C.took it for granted that she was fit for her job

D.didn’t put some change aside to give to the man

The underlined phrase“blown away”in the 3rd paragraph most probably  means

         .

A.completely defeated               B.wholly blown down

C.really amazed                         D.murdered by gunfire

It can be inferred from the passage that         .

A.material things are the most important in life

B.people should be encouraged to beg by smiling

C.the author’s ride home that dog was smooth sailing

D.we should wait others’help when faced with challenges

Even after several weeks, every time I read this little story I start to cry:

My sister-in-law teaches physically and mentally handicapped children at a private school in Brooklyn. She recently   21   a Special Olympics and went to the starting line of the 100-metre dash with six   22   contestants.

As the starting whistle sounded, a boy tripped, fell and began to cry. All the other   23  stopped, turned and went back to help. Then they all   24   hands and went on to the finish line together. Needless to say, everyone in the stands   25  .

Why am I so moved? There are tears of joy   26   with tears of sadness. Tears of joy, just for the   27   friendship, selflessness and love embodied (体现) by these children. Tears of sadness, just for how   28   from such behavior we adults have wandered. Wouldn’t it be nice if, at least once in a while, we could pause in our race for money and power; turn around to see the   29   of those we have left behind; go back and   30   these less able ones to their feet; and then walk forward together with them, arm in arm.

A. witnessed       B. reported    C. interviewed       D. attended

A. eager      B. smart        C. breathless D. active

A. players B. members   C. runners      D. cheerleaders

A. held       B. shook        C. took   D. clapped

A. shouted   B. cheered     C. cried D. yelled

A. filled    B. mixed       C. joined       D. associated

A. mature B. unusual     C. common    D. pure

A. long       B. easily        C. far     D. much

A. suffering        B. shortcoming     C. surrounding      D. behaving

A. comfort       B. support      C. carry D. help