Nothing succeeds like confidence. When you are truly confident, it radiates (辐射) from you like sunlight, and attracts success to you like a magnet (磁铁). Besides, those who are self-confident can in turn inspire (encourage) confidence in others: their audience, their peers, their bosses, their customers, and their friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success.

So how can we build a sense of self-confidence and prepare ourselves on the way to success?

First, do what you believe to be right, even if others mock or criticize you for it. Believe in yourself and believe that you can do it in any situations, because if you believe you can, then you really will. The belief keeps you searching for answers, which means that pretty soon you will get them.

Second, govern your behavior based on what other people think. What’s more important, be willing to take risks and go the extra miles to achieve better results, in which case mistakes can not be avoided. Always be ready to admit your mistakes, and learn from them. Next, work hard to settle the problems in order to cover up your mistakes before anyone notices. Building self-confidence is readily achievable, as long as you have the focus and determination to carry things through. And what’s even better is that the things you’ll do to build self-confidence will also build success -- after all, your confidence will come from real, solid achievement. No one can take this away from you!

As you sow, so will you reap. With your perseverance (毅力) and improvement, you are getting closer to success. At this stage, wait for others to give congratulations and compliments on your achievements. “Thanks, I really worked hard on it. I’m pleased you recognize my efforts.” The congratulations and compliments from others will promote you to gain further success.

Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, and it is no wonder that so many people struggle to find it. Self-confidence really can be learned and built on. Besides, whether you’re working on your own self-confidence or building the confidence of people around you, it’s well worth the effort!

1.Those who are truly confident _______.

A．succeed without effort and hard work

B．encourage people around to become confident

C．appear more attractive and thus become successful

D．gain the confidence of others and feel successful

2.The underlined word “mock” (Paragraph 2) is closest in meaning to _______.

A．praise            B．imitate (模仿)      C．punish            D．laugh at

3.When others congratulate us on our achievements, we are supposed to _______.

A．praise them in return

B．gain further improvement

C．politely accept the compliments

D．expect them to congratulate you again

4.Which of the following proverbs (sayings) best goes with Paragraph 4?

A．Look before your leap.

B．It is no use crying over spilt milk.

C．Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

D．Learn from past mistakes and avoid future ones.

5.The purpose of the text is to _______.

A．tell people how to become successful

B．convince people to do what they believe to be right

C．encourage people to build confidence and achieve success

D．criticize people who lack confidence and thus fail in their career

---Thanks for your trouble.

 ---Not at all. I’m _____ pleased to help you.

A. too much              B. too only                C. so much                D. only too

---Thanks for your trouble. ---Not at all. I’m _____ pleased to help you.

A. too much                   B. too only                     C. so much                     D. only too

Why do I volunteer with Big brothers / Big sisters of America? I have many reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is that people once volunteered to help me.

Years ago, I was on the other side of the table. I was lonely and I felt lost. It’s a little embarrassing to talk about it now, but whatever the right direction in life was, I was going the opposite way. More than once, I found myself on the wrong path. If someone hadn’t stepped in when he did, I probably wouldn’t even be here now. I’d rather be in a prison or somewhere a lot smaller and deeper.

I’ve seen the work that big brothers / sisters have been doing all over the country and I’m pleased to be part of it. I’ve never done anything that made me prouder than my volunteer work. Big brothers and sisters helped me get over sadness and depression as soon as possible. Then, if I can help anyone like they helped me, I am willing to serve for as long as they will have me serve them. There are no words to describe the joy I get from helping somebody turn their life around. Every time I think that that’s me now, I’m proud and happy.

Volunteering is how I want to leave my mark on the world. I recommend volunteering work to everybody, especially to somebody who isn’t sure where they are going in life. Helping someone find their path is often the best way to find yours. Be a volunteer, and you will find your purpose in life.

1.What’s the main reason why the writer volunteers?

A．He has a lot of free time.

B．He is lonely and wants to be with others.

C．He wants others to know he is a good man.

D．He is grateful for what volunteers once did for him.

2.It is implied in Paragraph3 that the writer __________.

A．is eager to help others

B．often feels sad and depressed

C．hopes he will be helped at any time

D．travels around the country to help others

3.We can infer from the passage that the writer probably __________.

A．spent some days in prison

B．didn’t know his purpose in life

C．is dissatisfied with his life

D．doesn’t live a meaningful life

4.What is the writer’s purpose in writing this passage?

A．To share his past with us.

B．to ask for some volunteer work.

C．To encourage us to enjoy our life.

D．To call on us to do volunteer work.

-- I love the Internet. I’ve made many friends on the Net.
- _____. Few of them are your real friends.