Every year Chris Brogan posts his three words for a new year. many others and I have followed his lead for the past three or four years. They helped me a lot. My words for last year were “passion”, “focus” and “delegate” and I stayed true to them. This year, 2013, my goals are more personal and less professional.
FOCUS
Focus is making a repeat appearance on my list this year because I’m too much of a multitasker. The problem is that I have trouble finishing one thing with so many things calling me. When I was working as a writer, all my projects were handled via a schedule, I’m putting a fitness and housekeeping routine into my schedule.
HEALTH
I get so busy taking care of everyone else, and I forget to take care of myself and this has to change. My health suffers and my weight suffers. I have to get my health in check , not only for me but because I promised my 9-year-old son. I’ll make good food and lifestyle choices. I miss being thin, and it’s time to get it back.
CELEBRATE
What good is having it if I’m not taking time to enjoy it? I have a wonderful job, a happy family, and so much to be thankful for. So how come I spend all my time working? Last summer my family took our first vacation in four years, the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family in a long time. This year, I’m making sure to take time to enjoy life and celebrate its many blessings.
Do you have any words for 2013?
【小题1】The underlined word “multitasker” probably refers to a person who          .

第二节完形填空(共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分)
   请认真阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
We all have dreams. Yet so few of us realize them. Often, a dream dies as quickly as it is born  36  we lack the confidence to keep it. When I was old enough, I realized that society puts a high   37  on youth, beauty and intellectual achievement. This discovery gave me some idea to   38  my dream.
I know beauty is something I will never have. But I didn’t see it as something   39  because it forced me to concentrate my energy to develop my   40  qualities. What people see in the handicapped（残疾）is only their   41  of being handicapped. People are not impressed with the ability that lies   42  every handicapped person.
My dream was   43  . I dreamed of becoming a typist. The employment field was a highly   44  place. It gave not only competition to a handicapped job – seeker but also the unfriendly treatment from the   45  strong and healthy. They see the handicapped as the back row of   46  .
However, I   47  to sit in the back row. I decided to take a course. When I handed application form to the interviewer, she looked at me and advised me to   48  my choice from typing. But I was   49  to stay with it. She accepted me.
On the fifth month of the six-month course, five students were chosen to do some copy typing. I was one of them. I was very   50  and finished half of the work given to us all. More work came to me after this test. I could see quite clearly the way to   51  my dream. I became a typist in one of the offices immediately after my graduation. I did not   52  starting at the bottom of the ladder. Being a   53  was just the beginning. Having achieved one dream, I set out to achieve others. There was no easy task. But the sacrifice proved   54  .
Dreamers should keep reaching out for their dreams,  55  what the pain, until they get what they want in life.
36．A．even if       B．because     C．although     D．unless
37．A．standard      B．view       C．value        D．measure
38．A．develop      B．realize      C．keep         D．have
39．A．favorable     B．unusual      C．beneficial      D．bad
40．A．other        B．special       C．unique      D．outstanding
41．A．pain        B．misfortune      C．appearance     D．sufferings
42．A．outside      B．inside         C．beyond      D．beside
43．A．fantastic     B．complicated     C．acceptable     D．simple
44．A．competitive      B．valuable      C．mysterious     D．adventurous
45．A．originally      B．extremely       C．physically      D．fortunately
46．A． seats       B．society       C．jobs       D．community
47．A．had        B．continued      C．meant     D．refused
48．A．change     B．ignore      C．confirm      D．prevent
49．A．willing      B．reluctant     C．determined      D．glad
50．A．happy     B．efficient     C．developing     D．excited
51．A．achieving      B．changing      C．developing     D．enjoying
52．A．avoid     B．risk       C．consider        D．mind
53．A．officer      B．ladder      C．typist       D．dreamer
54．A．disappointing      B．rewarding     C．encouraging      D．satisfying
55．A．no sooner    B．no wonder     C．no longer      D．no matter

“Soon, you’re going to have to move out!” cried my neighbor upon seeing the largest tomato plant known to mankind, or at least known in my neighborhood.
One tiny 9-inch plant, bought for $1.25 in the spring, has already taken over much of my rose bed, covering much of other plants, and is well on its way to the front door.

Roses require a good deal of care, and if it weren’t for the pleasure they give, it wouldn’t be worth the work. As it is, I have a garden full of sweet-smelling roses for most of the year. Bushes must be pruned(剪枝) in early spring, leaving ugly woody branches until the new growth appears a few weeks later. It was the space available in the garden that led me into planting just one little tomato plant. A big mistake.
Soil conditions made just perfect for roses turn out to be even more perfect for tomatoes. The daily watering coupled with full sun and regular fertilizing (施肥) have turned the little plant into a tall bush. The cage I placed around it as the plant grew has long disappeared under the thick leaves.
Now the task I face in harvesting the fruit is twofold; First, I have to find the red ones among the leaves, which means I almost have to stand on my head, and once found I have to reach down and under, pick the tomatoes and withdraw(缩回) my full fist without dropping the prize so dearly won. I found two full-blown white roses completely hidden as I picked tomatoes in June. But they were weak and the leaves already yellow for lack of light.
Here I am faced with a painful small decision: To tear up a wonderful and productive tomato plant that offers up between ten and twenty ripe sweet tomatoes each day or say goodbye to several expensive and treasured roses. Like Scarlett in Gone With the Wind, I’ll think about that tomorrow.
【小题1】What are the requirements for the healthy growth of rose?

1.Who is suitable to work as a Community Representative in YOUTH International?

A． One who enjoys working with teenagers from different countries.

B． One who hopes to take action in fighting against diseases.

C． One who has a strong desire to improve his or her English.

D． One who wants to earn some pocket money in the program.

2.Where will Jack, a volunteer, receive the training before he is sent to work in Malawi?

A． In some local offices in the U.S.

B． In an ESL organization in China.

C． In a preparation program in Denmark.

D． In an exchange student center in Africa.

3.If Mrs. Black in the U.S. hopes to learn some Chinese at home, she may contact       .

A．takeaction@betterworld.com                    B．ram3462@hotmail.com

C．club3864@hotmail.com                        D．staff@youth.org

4.What are volunteers for an experiment over the Internet supposed to do?

A．To interview people online.                   B．To do some housework.

C．To offer advice on Child Aid.                 D．To provide language exercises.

“Soon, you’re going to have to move out!” cried my neighbor upon seeing the largest tomato plant known to mankind, or at least known in my neighborhood.
One tiny 9-inch plant, bought for $1.25 in the spring, has already taken over much of my rose bed, covering much of other plants, and is well on its way to the front door.
Roses require a good deal of care, and if it weren’t for the pleasure they give, it wouldn’t be worth the work. As it is, I have a garden full of sweet-smelling roses for most of the year. Bushes must be pruned(剪枝) in early spring, leaving ugly woody branches until the new growth appears a few weeks later. It was the space available in the garden that led me into planting just one little tomato plant. A big mistake.
Soil conditions made just perfect for roses turn out be even more perfect for tomatoes. The daily watering coupled with full sun and regular fertilizing have turned the little plant into a tall bush. The cage I placed around it as the plant grew has long since disappeared under the thick leaves.
Now the task I face in harvesting the fruit is twofold; First, I have to find the red ones among the leaves, which means I almost have to stand on my head, and once found I have to reach down and under, pick the tomatoes and withdraw(缩回) my full fist without dropping the prize so dearly won. I found two full-blown white roses completely hidden as I picked tomatoes in June. But they were weak and the leaves already yellow for lack of light.
Here I am faced with a painful small decision: To tear up a wonderful and productive tomato plant that offers up between ten and twenty ripe sweet tomatoes each day or say goodbye to several expensive and treasured roses. Like Scarlett in Gone With the Wind, I’ll think about that tomorrow.
【小题1】 What ate the requirements for the healthy growth of rose?