Are some people born clever and others born stupid? Or is intelligence developed by our environment and our experiences? Strangely enough, the answer to both questions is yes.To some extent our intelligence is given to us at birth, and no amount of special education can make a genius out of a child born with low intelligence. On the other hand, a child who lives in a boring environment will develop his intelligence less than one who lives in rich and varied surroundings. Thus the limits of a person’s intelligence are fixed at birth, but whether or not he reaches those limits will depend on his environment. This view, now held by most experts, can be supported in a number of ways.

It is easy to show that intelligence is to some extent something we are born with. The closer the blood relationship between two people, the closer they are likely to be in intelligence. Thus if we take two unrelated people at random (随意地) from the population, it is likely that their degrees of intelligence will be completely different. If on the other hand we take two identical twins, they will very likely be as intelligent as each other. Relations like brothers and sisters, parents and children, usually have similar intelligence, and this clearly suggests that integigence depends on birth.

Imagine now that we take two identical twins and put them in different environments. We might send one, for example, to a university and the other to a factory where the work is boring. We would soon find differences in intelligence developing, and this shows that environment as well as birth plays a part. This conclusion is also suggested by the fact that people who lives in close contact with each other, but who are not related at all, are likely to have similar degrees of intelligence.

1.Which of the following best describes the writer’s point in Paragraph One?

A．To some extent, intelligence is given at birth.

B．Intelligence is developed by the environment.

C．Some people are born clever and others born stupid.

D．Intelligence is fixed at birth, but is developed by the environment.

2.In the first paragraph,“no amount of special education can make a genius out of a child born with low intelligence” suggests that       .

A．no environment can change the least able into the most able

B．the difference in men’s intelligence depends on the amount of their education

C．if a person is born clever, he is certain to be a genius

D．if a person is born stupid, nothing can change him into an educated person

3.The last paragraph mainly shows       .

A．the importance of education

B．the relationship between environment and birth

C．the writer’s final conclusion

D．the relationship between intelligence and environment

4.The best title for this passage would be       .

A．Dependence on Education	B．Intelligence
C．Surroundings	D．Effect of Education

5.Which statement about the passage is true?

A．All twins have similar degrees of intelligence.

B．A man who is educated in university must make greater achievements than a man who works in a boring factory.

C．Proper education can change one’s intelligence at some degree.

D．Education can’t make a child born with low intelligence cleverer.

 

Life is full of change, and this leads to growth. Change is what keeps our lives moving, and allows us to achieve what we desire and deserve. Like it or not, we need to be willing to go with the flow, and be adaptable when something doesn’t go according to plan. A catalyst is a person that causes something else to happen, and if you’re not currently a catalyst for change, here are some things you can do to become one.

Take a look at what you’ve got going on in your life right now. Write down everything that comes to mind. Is there anything that jumps out at you that you're not content with? Is there something that isn't moving forward as quickly as you would like it to? Identifying what you want to change is the first step to getting somewhere with it.

Take the initiative to make change happen. Once you have identified what you want to work on changing, write down several possible "next steps" you can take to realizing that change. Whatever it is you want to change, you won't get very far without having specific actions in mind to carry out. Start small, and then focus on items that are a bit more involved or difficult and just keep going!

When carrying out a change, it’s great if you’re able to bounce ideas off other people, particularly if they can help you implement that change in some way. Be receptive to feedback, but realize that others’ opinions are not golden. Also remember to give feedback when asked for it. Be sure it's genuine and that you are able to stand behind it.

Create an environment for change. There is nothing more discouraging than trying to create change in an environment that is not conducive to it. It’s like trying to stick to a diet in a house that is filled with chips, cookies, ice cream and chocolate; you are just making it more difficult for yourself.

Change is good, and often leads to process improvement, increased productivity and efficiency. Take the initiative, and make changes to your life to get to where you want to go faster than you are going right now.

1.If you decide to change, you should start by _________.

A．going with the flow

B．changing from day to day

C．writing down good ideas

D．making sure you know what to change

2.Which of the following is TRUE, according to the fourth paragraph?

A．One should accept others’ opinions uncritically.

B．One should be cautious about the opinions of others.

C．It’s more important to get than to give feedback.

D．Change may not happen without ideas from other people.

3.The underlined words “bounce ideas off other people” in the fourth paragraph probably mean

“_________”.

A．get approval from others

B．get your ideas across to other people

C．get others’ feedback about your ideas

D．carry out your ideas without the help of others

4.What can we infer from the text?

A．Change benefits us in different ways.

B．Creating a good environment is the most important step.

C．It’s discouraging to try to change one’s environment.

D．Being a catalyst for change is risky but rewarding.

5.Which would be the best title for the text?

A．How to achieve what you desire.

B．How to be a catalyst for change.

C．How to act according to your plans.

D．How to move in the right direction.

 

An inventor seeks to create a new product that serves a specific need and fulfills a role that other products do not. Sometimes an inventor comes up with a wholly new idea, but more often inventions are simply improvements on an older design. With a little imagination and creativity (创造力), an old idea can suddenly become something new.
However, creating a new invention means much more than having a brilliant idea. A good designer follows the design process: identifying the challenge, researching and brainstorming ideas(集思广益), designing a solution, testing and evaluating the ideas, and finally building the product. Designers also use science, math, technology, and engineering to design a tool that satisfies the need they identified.
Anyone can be an inventor —even kids! For example, Chester Greenwood was just fifteen years old when he invented a product that changed his life. In fact, his idea was so good that his invention supported him for the rest of his life. You may not know his name, but you probably know his invention —earmuffs (保暖耳罩)!
The inspiration for his earmuff design came to Chester when he was ice-skating. His ears were cold, and he decided to find a way to keep them warm. With the help of his grandmother, he made a new product to protect his ears and at the age of eighteen, Chester patented his earmuff design.
Many other famous inventors started young as well. Margaret Knight —the inventor of the flat-bottomed brown paper bag —is said to have created a safety device for textile looms(织布机) when she was just twelve years old. Another example is Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors in history, who applied for his first patent when he was just twenty-one years old. Over the course of his life, Thomas Edison patented a total of 1,093 inventions!
【小题1】In most cases, an invention ________ according to the first paragraph.

A．comes from a complete new idea	B．is usually based on an old product or idea
C．will change its creator’s life completely	D．is created by scientists in different fields

【小题2】The second paragraph mainly wants to tell us _______.

A．the difficulty in making a new invention	B．the common steps of creating new things
C．having a good idea is the key to creation	D．designing a tool is the first step in inventing

【小题3】The example of Chester Greenwood is used to show that ________.

A．children can also invent something

B．it is easy even for children to make inventions

C．kids have more advantages in inventing things

D．to be an inventor is the best way to change one’s life

【小题4】At first Chester designed his earmuffs in order to ________.

A．protect his ears while ice-skating

B．earn money to support his poor family

C．realize his dream of becoming an inventor

D．make himself look fashionable while ice-skating

An inventor seeks to create a new product that serves a specific need and fulfills a role that other products do not. Sometimes an inventor comes up with a wholly new idea, but more often inventions are simply improvements on an older design. With a little imagination and creativity (创造力), an old idea can suddenly become something new.

However, creating a new invention means much more than having a brilliant idea. A good designer follows the design process: identifying the challenge, researching and brainstorming ideas(集思广益), designing a solution, testing and evaluating the ideas, and finally building the product. Designers also use science, math, technology, and engineering to design a tool that satisfies the need they identified.

Anyone can be an inventor —even kids! For example, Chester Greenwood was just fifteen years old when he invented a product that changed his life. In fact, his idea was so good that his invention supported him for the rest of his life. You may not know his name, but you probably know his invention —earmuffs (保暖耳罩)!

The inspiration for his earmuff design came to Chester when he was ice-skating. His ears were cold, and he decided to find a way to keep them warm. With the help of his grandmother, he made a new product to protect his ears and at the age of eighteen, Chester patented his earmuff design.

Many other famous inventors started young as well. Margaret Knight —the inventor of the flat-bottomed brown paper bag —is said to have created a safety device for textile looms(织布机) when she was just twelve years old. Another example is Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors in history, who applied for his first patent when he was just twenty-one years old. Over the course of his life, Thomas Edison patented a total of 1,093 inventions!

1.In most cases, an invention ________ according to the first paragraph.

A．comes from a complete new idea           B．is usually based on an old product or idea

C．will change its creator’s life completely     D．is created by scientists in different fields

2.The second paragraph mainly wants to tell us _______.

A．the difficulty in making a new invention      B．the common steps of creating new things

C．having a good idea is the key to creation      D．designing a tool is the first step in inventing

3.The example of Chester Greenwood is used to show that ________.

A．children can also invent something

B．it is easy even for children to make inventions

C．kids have more advantages in inventing things

D．to be an inventor is the best way to change one’s life

4.At first Chester designed his earmuffs in order to ________.

A．protect his ears while ice-skating

B．earn money to support his poor family

C．realize his dream of becoming an inventor

D．make himself look fashionable while ice-skating

 

A week ago, I had the great pleasure of reading an e-book, When Money Talks, Listen! By Rich Ezzo. It took only about an hour to read.

   When I first received a copy, I thought it was a Get Rich Quick type of publication. Nothing is wrong with Get Rich Quick, but my mind just doesn’t chase after dreams of wealth. I think that if God ever wants me to be rich, he knows where to find my purse.

   When I began reading When Money Talks, Listen!, I was overjoyed to find that Rich Ezzo isn’t money hungry either. He, too, is hungry far more important than money.

Since I love this e-book so much, why wait a week to write the review? Simple. I wanted to see if the effect it had on me was a keeper. After reading the last word of the e-book, I totally agreed with the subtitle which promised to forever change the way we thought about money. I had so many thoughts running around my mind that I had to install(安装) a stoplight to stop some while others made their way into the picture, then I yielded(让路) them as a few ones arrived in town. I had a mental traffic jam, which only goes to show how slow the traffic usually is. 

   It has been a week and the effect is the same. I truly do look at money differently and have even done a few things differently this week. This is an e-book you’ll want to read, I promise. I often recommend books to my daughter, and this is one that I didn’t just “suggest”---I left it open at the bottom of the computer and told each one, “Read it, you’ll love it.”

   I would never point someone in a direction I wouldn’t go myself. I urge you to visit the author’s website, Myster Money, and to download the e-book. You won’t regret it.

According to the passage, a Get Rich Quick type of publication ______

A. is what the author really cares for

B. deals with how to make money

C. is also an e-book written by Rich Ezzo

D. is more popular than e-books

The author didn't write the review as soon as he finished reading the book   

because________.

　A. he was too excited to write anything

　B. he was not sure whether he did well

　C. he had to wait for Rich Ezzo's permission

　D. he wondered if the book would have long influence on him

By saying the underlined sentence in Paragraph 4, the author probably _________.

　A. shows that the book brought him many new thoughts

　B. shows how bad the traffic is in town

　C. describes the difficulty in understanding the book

　D. explains it's hard to change one's attitude to money

Which of the following is supported by the passage?

  A. The author had known Rich Ezzo before.

　B. The author hasn't dreamed of getting rich immediately.

　C. The author always prefers e-books to paper books.

D. The author likes Get Rich Quick-type of publications.