Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world. To this end, we walk the dog, play golf, go fishing, sit in the garden, drink outside rather than inside the pub, have a picnic, live in the suburbs, go to the seaside, buy a weekend place in the country. The most popular free time activity in Britain is going for a walk. And when joggers (慢跑者) jog, they don’t run the streets. Every one of them automatically heads to the park or the river. It is my firm belief that not only do we all need nature, but we all seek nature, whether we know we are doing so or not.
But despite this, our children are growing up nature-deprived (丧失). I spent my boyhood climbing trees. These days, children are robbed of these ancient freedoms, due to problems like crime, traffic, the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children, that is to say, things that can be bought, rather than things that can be found.
The truth is to be found elsewhere. A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD (多动症). Those whose housing had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.
A study in Sweden indicated that kindergarten children who could play in a natural environment had less illness and greater physical ability than children used only to a normal playground. A US study suggested that when a school gave children access to a natural environment, the entire school would do better in studies.
Another study found that children play differently in a natural environment. In playgrounds, children create a hierarchy (等级) based on physical abilities, with the tough ones taking the lead. But when a grassy area was planted with bushes, the children got much more into fantasy play, and the social hierarchy was now based on imagination and creativity.
Most bullying (恃强凌弱) is found in schools where there is a tarmac (柏油碎石) playground; the least bullying is in a natural area that the children are encouraged to explore. This reminds me unpleasantly of Sunnyhill School, with its hard tarmac, where I used to hang about in corners dreaming about wildlife.
But children are frequently discouraged from involvement with natural spaces, for health and safety reasons, for fear that they might get dirty or that they might cause damage. So, instead, the damage is done to the children themselves: not to their bodies but to their souls.
One of the great problems of modern childhood is ADHD, now increasingly and expensively treated with drugs. Yet one study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children. However, we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.
The life of old people is much better when they have access to nature. The most important for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years. And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.
In wider and more difficult areas of life, there is evidence to indicate that natural surroundings improve all kinds of things. Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.
Dr William Bird, researcher from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, states in his study, “A natural environment can reduce violent behaviour because its process helps reduce anger and behavior that people might regret later.” Wild places need encouraging for this reason, no matter how small their contribution.
We tend to think human beings are doing nature some kind of favor when we are protecting nature. The error here is far too deep: not only do humans need nature for themselves, but the very idea that humanity and the natural world are separable things is damaging.
Human beings are a species of animals. For seven million years we lived on the planet as part of nature. So we miss the natural world and long for contact with non-human life. Anyone who has patted a dog, stroked a cat, sat under a tree with a glass of beer, given or received a bunch of flowers or chosen to walk through the park on a nice day, understands that.
We need the wild world. It is necessary to our well-being, our health, our happiness. Without other living things around us we are less than human.
【小题1】What is the author’s firm belief?

A．People seek nature in different ways.

B．People should spend most of their lives in the wild.

C．People have quite different ideas of nature.

D．People must make more efforts to study nature.

【小题2】What does the author say people prefer for their children nowadays?

A．Personal freedom.	B．Things that are natural.
C．Urban surroundings.	D．Things that are purchased.

【小题3】What does a study in Sweden show?
　　A. The natural environment can help children learn better.
　　B. More access to nature makes children less likely to fall ill.
　　C. A good playground helps kids develop their physical abilities.
　　D. Natural views can prevent children from developing ADHD.
【小题4】Children who have chances to explore natural areas ________.

A．tend to develop a strong love for science

B．are more likely to dream about wildlife

C．tend to be physically tougher in adulthood

D．are less likely to be involved in bullying

【小题5】What does the author suggest we do to help children with ADHD?

A．Find more effective drugs for them.

B．Provide more green spaces for them.

C．Place them under more personal care.

D．Engage them in more meaningful activities

【小题6】In what way do elderly people benefit from their contact with nature?

A．They look on life optimistically.	B．They enjoy a life of better quality.
C．They are able to live longer.	D．They become good-humored

From the time I was seven, I had a dream of becoming a member of the Students Union. I always

 31  my school leaders for taking responsibility for all of us. So I dreamed of being a leader.

Years flew by, and soon I was able to take part in the elections,  32  I would win. But the reality struck that I hadn’t had a chance. I wasn’t pretty. Girls across the school hardly knew me. I just did not have what it  33  to win a school election. I was depressed.

As I cried in my room that evening, I  34  took a deep breath and decided I wouldn’t stop dreaming. I decided that I would stand for elections again in my final year at school — and I would win.

I recognized that my  35  had a lot of things in their favor. What were the  36  that would work in my favor? I had good grades, and I was friendly and helpful. And my biggest strength was the

 37  I had. I would not allow my plain appearance to hold me  38  from putting my best foot forward. That evening, I began my election plans a whole year ahead of time.

I realized that the girls would have to get to know me and recognize that I had the ability to  39

them. I loved making friends and I liked being helpful,  40  I decided that perhaps I could use these qualities to work to my advantage. In order to learn how to deliver a great election  41 , I also attended a course on effective public speaking.

The day after the election, when the principal announced I won the second highest number of votes, the students  42 . That joy on the faces of all my friends showed me that my victory was also theirs.

Suddenly, I realized that I had  43  much more than I had dreamed of. I had made many new friends and had helped people  44  the way. I had won the  45  and love of my school-mates and they knew me as somebody who would stand by them. I was able to put a smile on their faces and brighten their day.

1.	A．admired B．remembered C．praised D．believed

 

2.	A．hoping B．planning C．pretending D．judging

 

3.	A．offered B．provided C．meant D．took

4..

A．gradually

B．immediately

C．suddenly

D．impatiently

 

5.	A．competitors B．classmates C．enemies D．schoolmates

 

6.	A．cases B．methods C．examples D．points

 

7.	A．problem B．faith C．worry D．luck

 

8.	A．in B．up C．out D．back

9..

A．reconsider

B．accompany

C．represent

D．support

10..

A．but

B．and

C．so

D．or

11..

A．campaign

B．speech

C．meeting

D．promise

12..

A．nodded

B．gathered

C．cheered

D．cried

13..

A．gained

B．absorbed

C．devoted

D．developed

14..

A．by

B．to

C．in

D．along

15..

A．announcement

B．recognition

C．conclusion

D．arrangement

 

 

第二节: Bryan、Olga、Scott、Anna 和David正在进行一项“企业家成功秘诀调查”。他们将采访几位企业家。第61-65题是他们拟定的采访话题。阅读下面刊登在Entrepreneur（《企业家》）杂志上6位企业家的成功感言（A.B.C.D.E和F），为每位采访者选定最佳采访对象，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。选项中有一项是多余选项。

1.Bryan: What comes first, the customer or the profit?

2.Olga: How important is an entrepreneur’s ambition to his/her company’s growth?

3.Scott: How does an entrepreneur make use of his/her advantages?

4.Anna: Why do successful entrepreneurs seem to enjoy their work?

5.David: What attitude should an entrepreneur have toward his/her social responsibilities?

A

Sheri Poe

Ryka Inc.

Since I started this company in my kitchen seven years ago. I always dreamt of what it would be some day. Focusing on that goal helps me get through tough times .To get the kind of success that you want, you need to dream big .That’s the starting point, Every success story begins with big dreams. You need to have big dreams for yourself, like being somebody rich, famous or fulfilled .You need to have a clear goal of what you want to achieve.

Also, I think it’s really important that the people you’re working with are as committed to the same goal as you are, so you can support each other and keep each other energetic.

B

Anita Roddick

The Body Shop Inc.

In America, we have a shop in Harlem where 50 percent of the profits go into the community development, and the other 50 percent go toward the funding of a similar shop elsewhere in the United States. The pride that shop brings to the staff and local people inspired me.

What The Body Shop does successfully is use our facilities in the street and shopping centers to talk about real human issues like AIDS. recycling, human rights, and community service or to encourage people to speak out against anything they consider to be unjust. Knowing our products are symbols of social change is really encouraging.

C

Ben Cohen

Ben &Jerry’s Homemade Inc.

I’m energized by the people I work with. I’m very relationship-driven, which a think is different from most entrepreneurs. I’m inspired by doing things that are not normal and that most people think don’t fit into the business world or don’t make any sense.

In business, you are judged by the company you keep—from your management team, board of directors, and strategic partners. Maybe the lady you met in a trade association meeting can help you secure funding, or the gentleman at a conference can provide you with management advice.

D

Richard Melman

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

A. number of years ago, I was interviewed by someone who was writing a book on enterprises. He asked me. ”What’s the opposite of work?” I answered. ”Lazy” He started laughing and said, ” Believe it or not, a lot of entrepreneurs say the same thing.”

The average person thinks the opposite of work is play, but to an entrepreneur, work is play. I think it all adds up to having fun. it’s fun to create; it’s fun to entertain, and it’s fun to make people happy with our service. When it stops being fun. I’ll stop doing it.

E

Frank Toskan

Make-Up Art Cosmetics（M.A.C）

One of the nicest things anyone ever said to me was, “I hate makeup, but I love M.A.C.” That’s what moves me on. Even people who don’t wear makeup can appreciate our company, what it stands for, its values, and the way we do business.

We work from an inverted pyramid, where the customers are always at the top, Our customers inspire me and keep me going. They and our staff, not money, make me enthusiastic. If I had stayed in this business just for the money, I would have closed down years ago.

F

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole Productions Inc.

You can’t be everything to everybody. Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. To be effective, you need to identify your strengths and concentrate on them, you’ll become more successful if you are able to channel your efforts to areas that you do best. In business, for example, if you know you are good at marketing, then give, I full play. Seek help or assistance in areas that you may be poor at, such as accounting or bookkeeping. To turn your weakness into strength, consider taking hands-on learning or training.

 

阅读理解

　　With his standard Mandarin pronunciation, practiced skills on Chinese expressions and special humour with a Peking accent, Dashan has become a household name across China．

　　People have always wondered how the 36-year-old Canadian can be so skillful in the Chinese language even though it is considered by many as one of the most difficult languages in the world．But to Dashan, the great challenge was a piece of cake due to his deep interest, proper method and the excellent environment he created for himself.

　　“Interest is the best teacher.” That is a universal principle. Even if the 20-year-old Mark Rowswell--Dashan's real name--hadn't fully realized what attracted him to the Chinese department at the University of Toronto in Canada, he was already deeply interested in Chinese culture when he decided to have further study in Beijing.

　　Entering the Chinese department of Peking University in 1988, Dashan felt like a duck in water. Study is always a hard job, no matter how much interest you have. Therefore, effective ways are necessary to improvement. “Learn for life and learn in life”is Dashan's belief.

　　As a freshman at the University of Toronto, the student did study textbooks, which especially aimed on foreign Chinese learners. They did help him build to solid foundation.

　　However, that's far from enough to grasp the Chinese language. Starting in his junior year, Dashan began to read original Chinese novels, Chinese newspapers and even the selected works of Deng Xiaoping. “Only the material for Chinese native readers could give me a proper sense of the language,” he said．

　　The language that is the daily means of communication is the principle that Dashan always keeps in his mind．What you have really learned depends on what you can use, not necessarily your textbooks.

　　To learn in daily life requires a favourable language environment which is also necessary for improvement. Dashan admits it is hard for Chinese English learners to be brought into a good English speaking environment, but insists, “to listen and speak as much as possible does help.”

　　To help Chinese English learners develop a favourable environment, Dashan took part in a VCD programme--“Travel with Dashan”--to teach daily and up-to-date English in real-life situations.

(1)Dashan could learn Chinese very well because of ________.

[　　]

A．his interest

B．practiced skills on Chinese expression

C．his special method

D．Special humour with a Peking accent

(2)The sentence “learn for life and learn in life” here means________

[　　]

A．learn things in our daily life, otherwise it will not last long.

B．we should study in practice all our lives

C．life is difficult, so we'd better learn more to lead a better life

D．language is the necessary part of our daily life, so we must practise it frequently

(3)The main idea of the passage is ________.

[　　]

A．Dashan has become a household name across China

B．how can we master a foreign language in a short time.

C．dashan took park in a VCD programme“Travel with Dashan” to teach English in real-life situation

D．try to learn English under the direction of Dashan, and you'll succeed one day.

(4)The underlined phrase“a piece of cake” here refers to ________.

[　　]

(5)Dashan read the selected works of Deng Xiaoping because ________.

[　　]

A．he admired the former leader of the government

B．he hoped to learn more of the spirits of it

C．he wanted to give him a proper sense of the Chinese language

D．They are very popular in modern times

The drug store was closing for the night and Alfred Higgins was about to go home when his new boss approached him.
“Empty your pockets please, Alfred,” Sam Carr demanded in a firm voice.
Alfred pretended to be shocked but he knew he had been caught. From his coat he withdrew a make-up kit, a lipstick and two tubes of toothpaste.
“I’m disappointed in you, Alfred!” said the little gray-haired man.
“Sorry, sir. Please forgive me. It’s the first time I’ve ever done such a thing,” Alfred lied, hoping to gain the old man’s sympathy.
Mr Carr’s brow furrowed as he reached for the telephone, “Do you take me for a fool? Let’s see what the police have to say. But first I’ll call your mother and let her know her son is heading to jail.”
“Do whatever you want,” Alfred shot back, trying to sound big. But deep down he felt like a child. He imagined his mother rushing in, eyes burning with anger, maybe in tears. Yet he wanted to come quickly before Mr. Carr called the police.
Mr. Carr was surprised when Mrs. Higgins finally arrived . She was very calm, quiet and friendly. “Is Alfred in trouble?” she asked.
“He’s been stealing from the store,” the old man coolly replied.
Mrs. Higgins pulled out her hand and touched Mr. Carr’s arm with great gentleness as if she knew just how he felt. She spoke as if she did not want to cause him any more trouble. “What do you want to do, Mr.Carr?”
The woman’s calm and gentle manner disarmed the once-angry store-owner, “I was going to get a cop. But I don’t want to be cruel. Tell your son not to come back here again and I will let it go.” Then he warmly shook Mrs. Higgins’ hand.
Mrs. Higgins thanked the old ma for his kindness, then mother and son left. They walked along the street in silence. When they arrived home his mother simply said, “Go to bed, you fool.”
In his bedroom, Alfred heard his mother in the kitchen. He felt no shame, only pride in his mother’s actions. “She was smooth!” he thought. He went to the kitchen to tell her how great she was, but was shocked by what he saw.
His mother’s face looked frightened, broken. Not the cool, bright face he saw earlier. Her lips moved nervously. She looked very old. There were tears in her eyes.
This picture of his mother made him want to cry. He felt his youth ending. He saw all the troubles he brought her and the deep lines of worry in her grey face. It seemed to him that this was the first time he had ever really seen his mother.
【小题1】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．It was the first time Alfred had stolen anything.

B．Mr. Carr set a trap to catch Alfred stealing.

C．Alfred tried to sound big to hide his fear.

D．Mr. Carr had planned to forgive Alfred from the beginning.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “disarmed” probably mean?

A．annoyed

B．got over

C．convinced

D．made less angry

【小题3】What was the mother’s attitude towards Alfred?

A．She felt disappointed with him.	B．She was strict with him.
C．She was supportive of him.	D．She was afraid of him.

【小题4】What impressed Alfred most about his mother at the drugstore was_______.

A．how angry she was	B．how effective she handled Mr. Carr.
C．that she was able to save him	D．that she didn’t cry

【小题5】From the last paragraph, we know Alfred________.

A．was no longer a youth.	B．felt proud of his mother
C．wanted his mother to be happy	D．felt guilty and regretful for his deed.