One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St .Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering(阻碍) your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to attend the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.”

At first everyone was sorry to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be. The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: “Who is this person that was hindering my progress? Well, at least he’s no longer here! ”One by one the employees got closer to the coffin (棺材) and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: “There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is you.”

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when you change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

1.The underlined word “funeral” in the first paragraph means ________.

A. an occasion when one admires himself in a mirror

B. a chimney from where smelly smoke comes out

C. a ceremony for burying or burning a dead person

D. an exhibition displaying varieties of treasures

2.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. Last Respects                     B. A Strange Person

C. A Strange Company                D. A Road to Success

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The employees were shocked when they saw the dead person.

B. It is you yourself that can actually change your life.

C. In the mirror you can find how small you are in the world.

D. You can achieve your goal if you set limits to your growth.

4.It seems that the company is ________.

A. encouraging the employees to show respects to the dead

B. providing good working conditions for its employees

C. suffering a heavy loss due to its staff member’s death

D. trying to make its employees aware of their own potential

 

Welcome to Franklin Hotel. To make you stay as enjoyable as possible. We hope you will use our facilities（设施）to the full.
Dining Room：Breakfast is served in the dining room from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Also the room staff（服务员）may bring breakfast to your room at any time after 7 a.m. If this happens, please fill out a card and hang outside your door when you go to bed. Lunch is from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Dinner from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Room service：This operates 24 hours a day; phone the reception desk, and your massage will be passed on the staff.
Telephones: To make a phone call. Dial（拨）“0”for reception and ask to be connected. We apologized for delays if the lines are very busy. These are also public telephones near the Reception Desk. Tell Reception if early calls are needed.
Shop: The hotel shop is open for presents, gifts and goods from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Laundry: we have a laundry in the building, and will wash, iron and return your clothes within 24 hours, ask the room staff to collect them.
Bar（酒吧）：The hotel bar is open from 12 to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.   
Banking: The reception staff will cash cheques and exchange any foreign money for you.
【小题1】You would see this notice      .

A．in a hotel bar	B．in a hotel dining room
C．in a bedroom of a large international hotel	D．at the entrance of a small family hotel

【小题2】You have arrived at the hotel at 2.a.m. and want a quick meal, what should you do?

A．Go to the hotel shop	B．Go to the hotel bar
C．Hang a message outside your door	D．Phone Reception

【小题3】The word “laundry” in the above passage means“     ”.

A．tailor’s shop

B．operating room

C．clothes shop

D．wash house

【小题4】 The text tells us that       .

A．the hotel offers at least seven kinds of services

B．it’s not convenient (方便) to stay up in the hotel

C．you’ll have trouble without the money of the country the hotel belongs to

D．you can shop at any time inside the hotel

Everyone has got two personalities (个性) —the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real. You don't show your secret personality when you're awake because you can control your behaviour, but when you're asleep, your sleeping position shows the real you. In a normal night, of course, people frequently change their position. The important position is the one that you go to sleep in.
If you go to sleep on your back, you're a very open person. You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas. You don't like to upset people, so you never express your real feelings. You're quite shy and you aren't very confident. 
If you sleep on your stomach, you are a rather secretive (不坦率的) person. You worry a lot and you're always easily upset. You're very stubborn (顽固的), but you aren't very ambitious. You usually live for today not for tomorrow. This means that you enjoy having a good time.
If you sleep curled up (卷曲), you are probably a very nervous person. You have a low opinion of yourself and so you're often defensive (戒备的). You're shy and you don't normally like meeting people. You prefer to be on your own. You're easily hurt.
If you sleep on your side, you have usually got a well-balanced personality. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You're usually careful. You have a confident personality. You sometimes feel anxious, but you don't often get depressed. You always say what you think even if it annoys people.
【小题1】According to the writer, you naturally show your secret and real personality _______.

A．only in a normal night

B．only when you go to sleep

C．only when you refuse to show yourself to the world

D．only when you change sleeping position

【小题2】Which is NOT mentioned in the second paragraph about a person's personality?

A．He or she is always open with others.

B．He or she always likes new ideas earlier than others.

C．He or she is always easily upset.

D．He or she tends to believe in others.

【小题3】You may not want to make friends with a person who sleeps curled up and the reason is that __________.

A．he or she would rather be alone than communicate with you

B．he or she is rarely ready to help you

C．he or she prefers staying at home to going out

D．he or she wouldn't like to get help from you

【小题4】It appears that the writer tends to think highly of the person who sleeps on one side because __________.

A．he or she always shows sympathy for people

B．he or she is confident, but not stubborn

C．he or she has more strengths than weaknesses

D．he or she often considers annoying people

　　If you are ever lucky to be invited to a formal dinner party in Paris, remember that the French have their own way of doing things, and that even your finest manners may not be “correct” by French custom. For example, if you think showing up promptly at the time given on the invitation, armed with gifts of wine and roses, complimenting your hostess on her cooking, laughing heartily at the host's jokes and then leaping up to help the hostess will make you the perfect guest, think again.

　　Here Madame Nora Chabal, the marketing director of the Ritz Hotel in paris, explained how it works.

　　The first duty of the guest is to respond to the invitation within 48 hours. And, the guest may not ask to bring a guest because the hostess has chosen her own.

　　Flowers sent in advance are the preferred gift. They may also be sent afterwards with a thank-you note. It is considered a very bad form to arrive with s gift of flowers in hand there by forcing the hostess to deal with finding a vase when she is too busy to do that. See, that's the logic! The type of flowers sent has a code of its own, too. One must never send chrysanthemums because they are considered too humble a flower for occasion. Carnations are considered bad luck, and calla lilies are too reminiscent（令人联想）of funerals（葬礼）. A bouquet of red roses is a declaration of romantic intent. Don't send those unless you mean it, and never to a married hostess. And though the French love wine, you must never bring a bottle to a dinner party. Why, it's as if you feared your hosts would not have enough wine on land, and that's an insult. You may, however, offer a box of chocolates which the hostess will pass after dinner with coffee.

　　If an invitation is for eight o'clock, the considerate guest arrives at 8:15. Guests who arrive exactly on time or early are mere thoughtless ones who are not giving the hostess those last few minutes she needs to deal with details and

crises, The “correct” guest arrives between 15 to 20 minutes after the hour because dinner will be served exactly 30 minutes past the time on the invitation.

(1) Which of the following statements is right according to the French custom?

[　　]

A．When you receive an invitation, reply to it within two days. You'd better send flowers in advance.

B．Arrive exactly on time at the dinner party.

C．Bring a bottle of good wine to the dinner party.

D．Telephone to ask if you could bring a good friend to the party.

(2) Which of the following is right about sending flowers?

[　　]

A．If someone is dead, send chrysanthemums or calla lilies.

B．If someone is ill in hospital, send carnations.

C．If you are invited to a dinner party, send red roses to the hostess.

D．If you are in love with someone, send red roses.

(3) If you are in love with someone, send red roses, what should you do?

[　　]

A．Bring a bouquet of flowers when you go to the party.

B．Send a bouquet of flowers afterwards with a thank-you note.

C．Bring a bottle of wine instead of a bouquet of flowers.

D．The hostess will never mind of you send flower or not.

(4) What is the passage mainly about?

[　　]

A．How to hold a dinner party.

B．How to send flowers.

C．Good manners at a French dinner party.

D．Different countries have different manners.

237 West Palmdale Boulevard Fresno, California 93706 AmToy Corporation Suite 15 TransAm Building San Francisco, California 94115 November 20, 2008 Dear Sirs, As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro—Robo seen in local media is California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads（attached to this letter）published the week of November 15. Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle-class parents. Further, you product is violent in nature. Youth advertisement gives children the impression that it’s fine to have “two guns and laser eyes.” You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them “when you go outside.” This is not a healthy attitude for children to have. I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children. Sincerely yours, （Mrs.） Alma Hernandez President, Parents for Non-violent Toys Enc.

 

It’s here! Ready for You, Now! It’s Electro-Robo! Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Roho is the world’s first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo! Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro-Robo! Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW!

 
【小题1】What is the purpose of the letter?

A．To complain about a broken toy.	B．To oppose the advertising.
C．To order a gift for Chrismas.	D．To apply for a job in a toy company.

【小题2】Why does the writer of the letter that Electro-Robo is violent?

A．It is controlled by radio water.	B．It is expensive to buy.
C．It is 80 centimeter tall.	D．It bears arms.

【小题3】What dose “Enc.” at the end of the letter mean?

A．Something attached to the letter.	B．A complaint to the toy company.
C．A hidden message	D．An encouraging response.

【小题4】Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT ______-.

A．sitting down

B．shaking hands

C．talking

D．walking