One day, a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited anxiously at their desks for the test to begin. The professor 1the question papers, with the text facing down as usual. 2he handed them all out, he asked his students to 3the page and begin. To everyone's surprise, there were no 4just a black dot (点) in the center of the page. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone's face, told them the following:
“I want you to write what you 5there.”
The students, 6, got started on the inexplicable (令人费解的) task.
At the end of the class, the professor 7all the answer papers and started reading each one of them aloud in front of all the students. All of them, with no 8, described the black dot, trying to explain its position in the middle of the sheet, etc. After all had been 9, the classroom was silent, the professor began to explain:
"I'm not going to grade this. I 10wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the 11 part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot, and the same happens in our 12. We have a white paper to observe and 13, but we always focus on the dark spots. Our life is a 14 given to us with love and care and we always have 15to celebrate: nature renewing itself every day, our friends around us, the job that 16 our livelihood(生计) and the miracles we see every day.
17, we insist on focusing only on the dark spots: the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the 18relationship with colleagues, the 19with a friend, and etc.
The dark spots are very 20compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. "
People on a college campus were more likely to give money to the March of Dimes if they were asked for a donation by a disabled woman in a wheelchair than if asked by a nondisabled woman. In another 1 , subway riders in New York saw a man carrying a stick stumble（绊脚） and fall to the floor. Sometimes the victim had a large red birthmark on his2; sometimes he did not. In this situation, the victim was more likely to 3 aid if his face was spotless than if he had an unattractive birthmark. In 4 these and other research findings, two themes are 5 : we are more willing to help people we like for some reason and people we think6assistance.
In some situations, those who are physically attractive are more likely to receive aid. 7 , in a field study researchers placed a completed application to graduate school in a telephone box at the airport. The application was ready to be 8 , but had apparently been "lost". The photo attached to the application was sometimes that of a very 9 person and sometimes that of a less attractive person. The measure of helping was whether the individual who found the envelope actually mailed it or not. Results showed that people were more likely to 10 the application if the person in the photo was physically attractive.
The degree of 11 between the potential helper and the person in need is also important. For example, people are more likely to help a stranger who is from the same country rather than a foreigner. In one study, shoppers on a busy street in Scotland were more likely to help a person wearing a(n) 12 T-shirt than a person wearing a T-shirt printed with offensive words.
Whether a person receives help depends in part on the "worth" of the case. For example, shoppers in a supermarket were more likely to give someone. 13 to buy milk rather than to buy cookies, probably because milk is thought more essential for 14 than cookies. Passengers on a New York subway were more likely to help a man who fell to the ground if he appeared to be 15 rather than drunk.
By the time we reach adulthood, many of us have had the good fortune to have at least one best friend. If we have1around or changed our life situation2,we may be lucky enough to have had several. The best friend relationship is often our earliest3peer relationship, and it can be a source of great warmth and4throughout our lives. The characteristics of best friendship change as we grow up and grow older, but the heart of it remains the 5. Our best friends are a warm shelter in which we feel free to be fully ourselves, to share our deepest secrets, to 6when we are overtaken by tiredness, to have a 7when there is something nice to happen in our life—a place in which we feel completely welcome to give and receive that most 8of all gifts, love.
Most close relationships do face9from time to time, and one of the characteristics of an enduring best friendship is its ability to10the storms and to remain unbroken even as it faces changes. Our best friends are those who manage to love us through all of our11, as we do the same for them. We find ways to hug and 12the differences between us and offer love and13no matter what. We allow each other to be 14as we are at a given moment, even as we allow each other to change over time.15, best friends sometimes feel like family. We know we will stick together 16we take our individual roads.
We may be on the phone with our best friends every day, or we may not have17with each other for a year, yet we know that our bond will be strong and18when we do19each other. This bond ties us together even when are apart and draws us delightfully back into the warm20of each other's company when our paths bring us together again.
One evening after our son, Jimmy, had gone to bed, my husband and I were chatting. He said, “I heard you and Jimmy had a1day! I looked at him, completely2. It turned out that our 6-year-old son had told him this story of how we3pizza from his favorite pizza place for lunch and went to an amusement park where we really enjoy ourselves. It seemed to be an exciting day. But we did4of that on that particular day. What a little liar!”
The next day5I asked my son about the6story he had told his father, he responded, “It's not a lie, Mom! It's realistic fiction.” He7to me that recently in the library with his first grade class, they had learned about realistic fiction. So he considered himself a(n)8for telling his Dad such a story. It was so hard not to9as he tried to make all this clear to me with such an innocent 10on his face!
While I was proud that he had tried to11something he learned at school, it was important for him to learn the12between creatively telling a story and just telling someone a lie. Stories are for entertainment, not trickery. You must take it13 If a writer describes something he has14as a fact, he will lose the trust of his readers and face terrible consequences. As a mother, it is important for me to teach my son the importance of being honest without stopping his 15 Jimmy still loves reading and telling stories. But we haven't heard anything like the day he told his father about since we had our conversation.
I had an interesting question from my 10-year-old daughter Claire. She asked me if I had always been this1. I thought about it for a while and gave her the best answer2my own personal development.
I was born and3in a small town in Zambia. I was4that from a very young age l was encouraged to5the world and ask as many questions as I could. My grandfather was a(n)6holding a high position in the government, but he treated everyone with7like what others did to him. And I often watched him8with people that way. As a child, I was determined to be like him9I grew up. I wanted to make people feel good about10and have meaningful conversations that would11people to take action and create a better world for everyone.
As an ordinary African girl, I became12to what life had to13. I knew that I would have some bad days as well as good days. I saw this with my parents, as they14hid their feelings or situations. And from that, I had a15view of my reality.
I tell Claire that my confidence comes from within and that I am bound to 16moments when I'm worried about whether things will work in my17, but I have courage not to give up on my dreams. It is the18belief that I am good enough and I can do it that has had me going for the last 20 years. A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid that the branch will19because its trust is not on the branch but on its own20. Always believe in yourself.
Mr. Glen is a millionaire. Five years ago, after returning from abroad to his motherland, he1his small company. Speaking of success, Glen often tells us a story about his extra expensive “school” fee. He always2his success to it.
At that time, Glen, who already got a Ph.D. degree,3to return to the homeland, starting a company. Before leaving, he bought a Rolex watch with the4made through years of work after school and the scholarships. At the airport he had to accept the5customs check. The watch on his wrist was also demanded to be taken down for6. Glen knew that carrying the specific goods out had to pay the tax, and he worried about paying7for his watch. So when he was checked, he told a lie8his watch was a9fake (假货). When he was10of his “smarts”, immediately, in the presence of Glen, the officers hit the watch, which cost nearly 100,000, into pieces11hearing Glen's words. Glen was12. Before he understood why, he was taken to the office to be examined13. For many times of entry-exit14he knew that only those people in the “blacklist” would “enjoy” this special treatment. The officers looked over everything carefully in the box, and15him no matter what time of entry and exit he must accept the check and if 16reusing and carrying fake and shoddy goods, he would be17according to law! Suddenly, his face turned red, and he had nothing in mind after boarding the plane for long.
After returning to the homeland, he often told the story to his family, and his employees, too. He said that this made a deep18on him, because the additional high “school” fee that he had ever19made him realize the value of20, which he would remember as the secret of his success forever.
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
We were standing at the top of church tower. “Look down, Elsa,” Father said. I gathered all my 1and looked down. I saw the square in the center of the village. And I saw the crisscross (十字形) of twisting, turning streets 2to the square.
“See, my dear,” Father said gently. “There is more than one way to the 3 Life is like that. If you can't get to the place where you want to go by one road, try 4.”
In the years that followed I often remembered the5Father taught me. I knew where I wanted to 6 in life. I wanted to be fashion designer. But on the way to my first small success I found the road 7.
That year I was busy getting ready to show my winter fashions. Then just 13 days before the 8 the sewing girls were called out on strike. I found myself9 with one tailor and woman who was in charge of the sewing room! I was as gloomy as my models and salesgirls. “We'll never10 it,” one of them cried.
Here, I thought, is the 11 of all tests for Father's advice. Where is the way 12 this time? I wondered and worried. I was certain we would have to 13 the presentation or else show the clothes unfinished. Then it 14 to me. Why not show the unfinished clothes?
We worked hurriedly. And, exactly 13 days later, right 15 time, the Schiaparelli showing16.
What a showing it was! Some coats had no sleeves; others had only one. Many of our clothes were still in a(n)17 stage. They were only patterns made of heavy cotton cloth. But on these we 18 simple pictures and pieces of material.
All in all, the showing was different. It was so different that it was a great success. Our19 showing caught the attention of the public, and 20 for the clothes poured in.
Father's wise words has guided me. There is more than one way to the square always.
A couple of weeks ago, when we were leaving one of those horrible giant trampoline bouncy（弹跳床）places, my 11-year-old daughter said to me, “I don't think I'm very athletic, you know, like Rocket (her brother). He seems to be really good at1.”
What came out my mouth2me: “No, you're kind of not.”
Okay, let me3. As you may have guessed, this child has been with me for about 11 years, so I've had enough time to4her engaging in physical acts: jumping, climbing, running, and organized sports.
And the kid is just5me: two left feet. If anybody was ever NOT a “natural”6, that person is me.
But even7these facts, my first instinct（本能反应）was to show her with some8: “Oh, no honey. You're good at sports! You just have to keep 9!” But I decided to tell her the10, and I could see it hurt a bit.
So I said more: “Ava, we all have things we are particularly,11good at. Like you and12. You're in the 5th grade and read Charles Dickens. That isn't13, but you've done it without even trying. But all of us also have things that we are14in. If we want to get good at those things, we have to put in twice the15of the people around us to get to a decent（相当的）point and even harder if we want to16.”
She was nodding. She totally17it. Why? Because it's the truth. Sometimes I wonder why we run around talking nonsense（胡扯）to our kids when they can18the truth. And they can smell rubbish from a mile away. In other words, they can easily recognize you are19. In addition, if they don't know where they20now, they'll never know how to get somewhere new.
My 20-year-old daughter, Allison, living in Philadelphia, sent me a text the other day:"I need socks and shampoo."She was actually asking me to1those items for her, but I 2she was playing a cell phone game. I decide not to be a helicopter(直升机)3, because experience as a mother and professor has taught me how4that can result.
5, I prefer a more hands-off approach. From the time Allison turned 18, I no longer had any6 to know her work and life schedule.
But that's not what I 7 at Drexel University where I teach. Most of my students talk to their 8 three times a day or more. One student's mother called because she didn't 9 from him for a few days. He was in the library so he10"hello". She doubted that he was drinking, and insisted on asking him to11a picture of himself. Holding a newspaper with that day's 12, he took a picture and sent it to his mother in order to 13 that he wasn't telling a lie.
I've always treated my students as independent beings. I tell them on the first day that I will not follow up with them on missing14or assignments. I am getting them to become independent thinkers, and take responsibility for their 15.
But their parents don't16them like me. I know a mother. She supervises(监督)her son too much. She hopes he will walk by the17, so that she can know what he is doing. Another mother checks her son's credit card daily. However, I never do that. My daughters only come to me with18things that need my decision, and I think that's because I give them space.
Many parents try to find if their kids are19from them. But we have to learn to respect boundaries(界限), even when technology is so 20. So I am going to do my best not to be a helicopter parent.
Having a friend who is bright can do you good in many ways.
A bright friend can share your problems and help you 1 them properly. Are you overwhelmed? He can show you the order to 2 them on schedule. Are you having problems with someone? Tell him and he will find the best way to 3 both you and your friend. Let's imagine you were stuck in an elevator. You might be very 4and not know how to get out of it.
The situation could change 5 if you had a bright friend beside you. He could help you keep calm and quickly find a way to6 you.
A bright friend is also a good 7 for you to learn from. In fact, you can get many interesting and 8things from a knowledgeable friend. You can better yourself by 9 his unique way of thinking and handling things. 1 have a bright friend who can solve problems in a way that I could never10. Having had him as my close friend for ages, I have learnt so many things from him that may11 me much in my life. He has taught me many ways of solving problems, and even 12unchangeable situations in some bright ways.
Indeed, having a bright friend can give you the 13to keep on trying to be his equal. This makes you 14in some positive ways. You may have thought, "Why can he do that and not me?" And so you will try your best to be as15 as your friend. You then will change your16wav of thinking and doing things, becoming open-minded to learn new things and develop your true 17.
All of these 18 things a bright friend brings to you can of course be the 19 a long-lasting friendship. However, friendship 20 a thorough and mutual understanding. So, you should also make every effort to make it last forever.
In the World Cup, the U. S. and England aren't traditionally rivals. But, off the field, a different type of 1 has dominated for more than a century: what to call the world's most popular sport.
To Americans, it's soccer. The most of the rest of the world (including England, the birthplace of the modern sport), it's football. But what most people don't know is that the word "soccer" is not 2 an American invention. On the contrary, it was a(n) 3 from England, and one that was commonly used there until relatively recently, when it became too much of an Americanism for British English to bear.
At least, that's the 4 made by Stefan Szymanski, a professor of sports economics at the University of Michigan. In a paper from 2014, Szymanski writes that "soccer" 5 late 19th-century England, as a way of differentiating between variants of the game which at the time did not have a commonly 6 set of rules.
In the early 1800s in England, football and rugby existed as different 7 of the same game. But in 1863, the Football Association was 8 to standardize the rules of football so that nobles boys from different schools could play against one another. In 1871, the Rugby Football Union followed suit. The two sports 9 became known as Rugby Football and Association Football.
In England, Szymanski writes, noble boys 10 the shortened terms "rugger" and "soccer" to differentiate between Rugby Football and Association Football. To support this argument, he cites a letter to The New York Times, published in 1905: "It was a 11 to Oxford and Cambridge to use 'er' at the end of many words, such as foot-er, sport-er, and as Association did not take an 'er' easily, it was, and is, sometimes spoken of as Soccer."
And the term, Szymanski says, was widely 12 in England through the first half on the twentieth century. It became even more popular after World War II - driven, he suggests, by the number of American soldiers in the country and the 13 with American culture around the world that came after the war.
But by the 1980s, Brits started to 14 the word, as soccer became a more popular sport in the United States. "The penetration of the game into American culture," Szymanski writes, "has led to backlash against the use of the word in Britain, where it was once considered a(n) 15 to the word 'football'".
There are many opportunities for adults who want to make their lives better. There are public schools you can attend. In the schools you can 1 things like English, arithmetic and history. You can find classes in almost any subject you want to 2. You may want to learn to type, sew, paint or fix TV sets. You may want to learn more about the trade you are already 3. You may want to 4 a higher school diploma (文凭).You may even want to go to college. All it takes is time and 5.
In many cities, there are adult classes in the 6schools. You can attend many of these without having to pay 7. In some schools you may have to pay a8fee (费用).There are also many kinds of private schools for adults, 9you may have to pay more money.
Many job opportunities are 10to those who wish to work. It helps if you know more than one language. There are good11for interpreters and typists who know English.
There are many good jobs in government. In most cases, you must be a citizen of this country, and you must12a civil service examination. These examinations are 13 to everyone, regardless of race, religion or color.
Many civil service jobs 14a high school diploma. There are several 15to get a high school diploma. You can study high school 16at home and then take special tests. 17you pass the tests, then you get a diploma. 18you can go to night school. There are classes that 19you to take special tests to get a diploma.
Be as well trained as you can. Get as much training as you can. 20knocks at every door. Be sure that when it knocks at your door you are ready.
Do you know how many languages there are in the world？There are about 5,500, but many of them are not considered very 1. English is considered one of the most important languages because many people 2 it, not only in the UK and the US, but in other countries of the world. About 375 million speak it 3 their own language, and another 750 million use it as a 4 language. It is 5 to say how many people are learning it. Millions of boys and girls in schools are trying to do so.
Many English children 6 French. French is also a very important language. Some children learn German, 7, Japanese and Russian, of which Chinese is getting more and more popular.
Which is the best way to learn a language？We know that we all learnt the 8 language well when we were 9. If we learn a second language in the same way, it may not seem so difficult. What does a small child do？He 10 what people say, and he tries to guess what he hears. When he wants something, he has to 11 it. He is using the language, 12 and talking in it at all times. If people use a second language all the time, they will learn it 13.
In school, you learn to read, to write, to hear and to 14. It is best to learn all new words through the 15. You can read them, spell them and speak them later.
I remember when I was young, people often asked me, "What are you going to be when you grow up?"
It 1 being a cowboy or some super hero. Later it was a fireman, a policeman, a lawyer. As I grew older, my dreams for the future 2. When I was in college, I set my heart on becoming 3 like my father. 4 I studied and prepared for that. I reached the 5 in the end and I was teaching
6 full-time for much of my adult life. However, there is a "thief" that goes around stealing our 7. Sometimes, the thief will come as a parent, or a friend, but the 8 thief is usually 9.
We find ourselves just about reaching the top, and a "small"10 inside says, "You'll never make 11." "You 12 possibly do this." On and on the "small" voice predicts our failure. Failure, 13 is one of the most important tools we have may teach us valuable 14. When we learn these lessons well, we are ready 15 success.
I always tell my children that you are 16 to do anything that your heart desires. Remember the saying, "Nothing is 17 for a willing heart." There are 18 "overnight" successes, but with determination, they will come. Imagine 19 a life you dream of. Then in your heart, believe it will happen to you. Then work, work, work. You'll get the picture.
So, be true to your dream, and don't let anyone 20 it from you—especially yourself.
A few days ago, my husband observed a teenager doing yard work that his dad had told him to do. Instead of doing the task1, he wandered around there for hours, doing a 2 job.
The person he hurt the most was himself. His dad was trying to teach him 3and how to do a good job. As a result of his 4 attitude, he spent the whole afternoon finishing a task that should have taken one or two hours. And the yard 5wasn't clean enough when he got through.
He ruined his day because of his attitude. In addition，his dad was upset with him, and the boy's bad mood ended up 6the whole family that day.
Contrast that with a sweet lady working in a fast food 7. The minute I walked in, she welcomed me 8. She smiled as she took my order, and then as we 9 the food, she talked with me. As I walked off with my tray, she said with a big 10," I hope you have a blessed day!" I thought the food tasted better because of her 11. There was a delay, during which I sat there hearing her singing as she 12 her tasks behind the counter.
She wasn't making a large 13, and she didn't have a powerful position either. In addition, she stood on her feet for a long shift each day, often dealing with difficult customers. But she chose to be joyful.
I want to learn from her. I want to do my best, even when there's no applause or glory. Other people are watching me even though I might not 14 it at the time. I want to bring joy to all those around me. The 15can make a great difference.
What will you become in the future depends a lot on what you are doing to yourself now. You don't need a fortune1to tell you what your future life will be.
You can be brilliant, unforgettable or interesting2you believe that you are the3of yourself. Once you know what you want to achieve, each little step you4everyday will bring you closer to your goal. The books you have read, the television programmes that you have5to watch and the type of people you have met are what6you when you choose to create the type of person you will7in the future.
Don't8that life is easier. Don't let others get you9and stop you from achieving what you10to achieve. Be in charge of yourself11as you move towards your life goal, you will get a great12 .Don't13and let luck determine your future.14about life and your surroundings will not earn you15.
Tell yourself that you are in16and the world will not be able to hold back a person on a17path. The best golf players always are in the golf field and the best swimmers are always found in the18. They understand that they are the creators of their own self in the future.
Learn to be19. Go and discover your unique qualities and learn to move away from your 20 zone. Take vigorous (果断的)action.
Remember, you are the creator of yourself.
My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I would guess at what I thought was the 1 answer.
When I was younger, I thought 2 was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy." She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
Several 3 passed before she asked me again. This time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody,4 it must be our eyes." She told me, "You are learning 5, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."
Over the years, my mother asked me a couple more times and always her 6 was "No, but you are getting 7 every year, my child."
Then last year, my grandpa 8. Everybody was crying. My mom looked at me when it was our 9 to say our final good-bye to grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game 10 her and me. She saw the 11 on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have 12 lived your life." I saw her eyes well up with 13. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder."
"Is it because it 14 your head?" I asked.
She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or 15 one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and that you will have a shoulder to cry on when you need."
For decades, humans have torn up the natural landscape in Asia, cutting down trees to build resorts (旅游胜地) in the most beautiful locations and caging wild animals to attract tourists.
Bangkok-based hotel architect Bill Bensley is saying "1. "
When a businessman talked with him about 2 a resort that included a zoo in Asia, he came up with a(n) 3 : let's 4 the humans and let the rare and endangered 5 wander free.
Sounds 6? Bensley is known for 7 ideas, so much so that he's been called the "Willy Wonka of hotel design. "
At his Shinta Mani Wild resort in Cambodia 8 arrive via a 380-meter zip wire (高空滑索) over the wilderness of the South Cardamom National Park and are 9 to join Wildlife Alliance anti-poaching patrols (防盗猎巡逻).
But he's not doing things 10 for eye-catching. Bensley is a lifelong conservationist who deeply 11 what humans are doing to the planet. That's why he wanted to do the World Wild Project. 61-year-old Bensley says the first stage of the eight-year project, which will 12 several different top branded hotels, is expected to 13 in 2023.
The cages for 14 will actually be 2,400 hotel rooms, with a budget of generally a million 15 per room. Let's just say the guests won't be uncomfortable.
16, it's not the rooms the California-native is talking about. Having a 17 with a local official, he has got the permission to relocate abused animals from 18 in Asia, and set them free onto the 19 2,000-hectare piece of land 20 the human zoo will be located.
On Feb. 23, student group Grassroots hosted its monthly clothing exchange. It is a 1 activity on campus where students can 2 clothes in exchange for new ones.
“One of the 3 things about sustainability (可持续发展) is reuse,” Zein Tynon, Co-President and Clothing Exchange Chair, said in an interview with CT. “Instead of 4 old clothes or buying new clothes, you can donate them and give them a new 5. You might be done with that clothing item. 6, someone else might not be.” According to Tynon, about 100-150 items are 7 and 100-150 items are taken at the exchanges each month.
Tynon told CT that the clothing exchange has been 8 by Grassroots for many years. In response to how the clothing exchange has an effect on the campus' 9 of sustainability, Tynon said there is a 10 influence. “It does make a big 11. Throughout the semester when students realize we have these exchanges, they bring clothes and 12 a lot more. So it does create a 13 where everyone can share their 14.”
Grassroots begins 15 their clothing exchange two weeks in advance via posters around campus.
Co-President of Grassroots Alan Rojas said the club not only 16 sustainability on campus, but off campus as well. Another Grassroots 17 is bringing speakers to campus to talk about sustainability and environmental protection.
“The clothing exchange is 18 our most known activity in our club, and I think its nice because there're a lot of 19 who don't know what to do with their clothes,” Rojas said. “I think it's a really 20 way to get students more involved with sustainability.”
Why do I want to go to college? No one has ever asked me 1 a question. But many times I have asked myself. I have 2 a whole variety of reasons. 3 important reason is that I want to be a better man.
Many things make human beings different 4 or better than or even superior to animals.
One of the most important things is 5 . If I fail to receive higher education, my education 6. As I want to be a fully 7 man, I must get a well-rounded education, which good colleges and universities are supposed to 8. I know one can get educated in many ways, but colleges and universities are 9 the best places to teach me how to educate myself. Only when I am well-educated, will I be a better human being and 10 fit into society.
