The Most Direct Solution to Any Problem
When trying to solve various problems in life, an approach I find very useful is to first identify what I’d consider the most direct solution, regardless of how I feel about actually implementing (实施) it. What is the clearest, most direct path to my goal or the most efficient way to get around an obstacle?
Many problems will have multiple direct solutions, but often these solutions will be unpleasant at first glance because they’ll require courage, self-discipline, creativity, or persistence to implement.  【小题1】 
For example, suppose you want to lose weight. And suppose we can say that one of direct solutions is to eat the same as you’re eating now and increase your exercise output by 500 calories a day.   【小题2】 It may require discipline and persistence, but most people would agree that it will work if you follow through.
Another example:   【小题3】  However, you don’t know how that person feels about you. One direct solution would be to simply walk up, explain your thoughts and feelings, and ask if she or he is interested in discussing the possibility of a closer relationship. This will take less than a minute to say, and whatever the outcome is, at least you know where you stand.   【小题4】          Anyhow it’s very simple and straightforward.
  【小题5】  What’s the simplest and quickest way to reach your goal, assuming that you had limitless courage and discipline?

A．Of course this solution may require a lot of courage toovercome the possibility of rejection.

B．But if we can get ourselves to follow through, we know the solutions will actually work.

C．See if you can identify the most direct solution to some of your problems.

D．So the best way to overcome the difficulty is to ask your friends for advice.

E. If you implement this rather simple solution, you’ll lose weight.
F. Suppose you’re interested in starting a relationship with someone.
G. However, the solution implemented does not work.

Handshaking, though a European practice, is now often seen in big cities of China. Nobody knows exactly when the practice started in Europe. It is said that long long ago in Europe when people met, they showed their unarmed (无武器的) hands to each other as a sign of goodwill. As time went on and trade in cities grew rapidly, people in cities began to clap each other’s hands to make a deal or to reach an agreement. The practice was later changed into shaking hands among friends on meeting or leaving each other. “Let’s shake (hands) on it” sometimes means agreement reached.

Do the Europeans shake hands wherever they go and with whomever they meet? No. Sometimes the Chinese abroad reach out their hands too often to be polite. It is really very impolite to give your hand when the other party, especially when it is a woman,

shows little interest in shaking hands with you and when the meeting does not mean

anything to him or her. Even if, for politeness, he holds out his unwilling hand in answer to your uninvited hand, just touch it slightly. There is generally a misunderstanding(误解) among the Chinese that westerners are usually open and straightforward, while the Chinese are rather reserved (保守的) in manner. But in fact some people in western countries are more reserved than some Chinese today. So it is a good idea to shake hands with a westerner only when he shows interest in further relations with you.

In the old days in Europe, people put out their unarmed hands to each other.

A. to make a deal          B. to greet each other

C. to show friendliness   D. to reach an agreement

The first paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A. where handshaking was first practised

B. how handshaking came about

C. about the relationship between handshaking and trade

D. about the practice of handshaking both in Europe and in China

According to the text, which of the following statements is true?

A. Westerners are more reserved than the Chinese.

B. Westerners are unwilling to shake hands.

C. We should make a judgement before shaking hands.

D. We shouldn’t shake hands with European women.

The main purpose of the text is______.

A. to tell us some differences between the East and the West

B. to offer us some important facts about handshaking

C. to introduce us to some different customs in the West

D. to give us some advice before we travel abroad

SECTION B（18分）

Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A,B,C and D．Fill in each blank with word or phrases that best fits the context．

Handshaking, though a European way of greeting people, is now often seen in big cities of China. Nobody knows exactly when the practice  36  in Europe. It is said that long long ago in Europe when people met, they showed their unarmed hands to each other as a sign of   37  . As time went on and trade in cities grew rapidly, people in cities began to clap each other’s hands to make a (an)  38  or to reach an agreement. This was later changed into shaking hands among friends on meeting or   39  each other. “Let’s shake (hands) on it” sometimes means agreement reached.

Do the Europeans shake hands wherever they go and with whomever they meet?   40  . Sometimes the Chinese abroad reach out their hands too often to be   41  . It is really very impolite to   42   your hand when the other party, especially when it is a woman, shows little interest in shaking hands with you and when the meeting does not   43  anything to him or her.   44  , for politeness, he holds out his unwilling hand in answer to your uninvited hand, just touch it slightly. There is generally a misunderstanding among the   45  that westerners are usually open and straightforward, while the Chinese are rather reserved (矜持的)  46  . But the truth is that some people in western countries are more reserved than some Chinese today. So it is a good idea to shake hands with a Westerner   47  when he shows interest in further relations with you.

36．A．came     B．grew     C．turned      D．started

37．A．interest     B．eagerness  C．goodwill   D．patience

38．A．signal       B．noise     C．offer     D．deal

39．A．leaving     B．seeing       C．kissing      D．visiting

40．A．Yes      B．Maybe      C．Well     D．No

41．A．polite          B．kind     C．helpful     D．interested

42．A．hold     B．give     C．shake     D．display

43．A．mean     B．matter      C．count     D．make

44．A．As long as       B．However   C．Even if     D．Therefore

45．A．people      B．Chinese    C．Europeans D．public

46．A．in person  B．in manner C．in harmonyD．in secret

47．A．absolutely B．possibly    C．only     D．definitely

 

Peer（同龄人）Pressure
Peer pressure is just part of the challenges in life.   66  If you need further guidance, this article might help you. It provides three effective tips to deal with it:
Be with friends who respect your beliefs
You can go out with people who accept and respect the things you believe in and those who you know you can share your interests with. It is all right to be choosy with friends because you just want what is best for them and you.   67  You are just exhibiting what you know is right and good for both sides. Your friends will understand you for that. They can drag you away from discrimination and you can be confident that they will not leave you for your stand in life.
  68 
When you are driven by so many peer pressures, you can always stay away from it. You can actually decide not to be one of them. When you have decided on it, learn to be firm with your decision.   69 They should know that you cannot be forced to do certain things because you are strong and firm with what you believe in.
Learn how to say no
Learning to say no is one big factor to deal with some pressures from all of your friends. When you are convinced to do something you know that can only destroy you or ruin you, learn to say no.   70 You cannot just say yes to anything. You have a functional mind and you know what is best for you. So learn to say no even if saying no means losing your friends.

A．Don’t blame others.

B．Have a firm decision.

C．You should know how to deal with it.

D．You can always deal with it positively.

E. Just be straightforward and say it without hesitation.
F. This does not mean you are being selfish or you are being self-centered.
G. This can make them believe that you cannot just be driven by any other thing.

Do you ever run out of great books to read? So what should I read next? Is fast-paced crime fiction your thing? Try the new Patricia Cornwell book, Scarpetta (Putnam). She is such an able writer and handles complex forensic(法庭的) intelligence with ease. You need to be prepared, though, for the world you're entering—this isn't for the faint of heart, let's say.

        If peace is more your thing, try Mary Pipher's wonderful new book, Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World (Riverhead). Mary is a lovely, comfortable writer who takes the reader through her personal awakening after reputation and fortune came her way. Even if you've never experienced life as a bestselling writer (as she has done, in her book years back, Reviving Ophelia), you'll totally understand and sympathize with her renewed need for privacy, distance and quiet.

        What if you want a straightforward, totally thrilling read with vivid characters, set about World War II? You cannot go wrong with Jim Lehrer's new novel, Oh, Johnny (Random House), about a young Marine whose life is changed forever when he meets a woman on his way to war. His relationship with her lasts him through danger and hardship, and there's an impressive ending. See our interview with the productive novelist/newsman in the current issue of Reader's Digest (March, on stands now), by the way, for insight into the very talented Mr. Lehrer and what interests him.

        Well, what about something wickedly funny and totally offbeat? Does the name Carrie Fisher do anything for you? Try her vivid and new life in Hollywood and elsewhere, Wishful Drinking (Simon & Schuster). Be prepared for humor as sharp as knives.

1. In which column will you probably find the above passage?

   A. Advice.                      B. News story.       

C. Advertisement.                D. Comments.

2. What does the writer intend to tell us by the underlined sentence?

   A. The world is complex and hard.                         B. Scarpetta is a thriller.

   C. The fiction is hard to understand.                              D. Society is hard to fit into.

3. Which of the following is true of Mary Pipher?

   A. She is an adventurous writer.                  

B. She doesn’t care about fortune.

   C. Her books normally sell well.                             

D. She can help you achieve writing skills.        

4.To get further information about Jim Lehrer, you may________.

   A. go to Reader’s Digest issued in March           

B. go to Random House

   C. analyze the characters in Oh, Johnny          

D. read the novel Oh, Johnny

5.Which book isn’t directly based on the writer’s own life?

   A. Seeking Peace.                                                             B. Reviving Ophelia.             

C. Wishful Drinking.                                                        D. Oh, Johnny.