A few months ago, I was picking up the children at school. Emily, another mother that I knew well, rushed up to me. She was full of __41__.

“Do you know __42__ you and I are?” she asked. __43__ I could answer, she gave out the reason for her question. She had just returned from renewing her driver’s license at a government office. The woman __44__ desk asked her what her “occupation” was. Emily hesitated, __45__ how to answer it. “What I mean is,” explained the woman, “do you have a job, or are you just a ...?” “Of course I have a job,” answered Emily. “I’m a (an) __46__.” “We don’t __47__ ‘mother’ as an occupation ... ‘housewife’ covers it,” she said.

I forgot all about her story __48__ one day I found myself in the same situation. This time it was at our own Town Hall. The clerk was a woman.

“And what is your occupation?” she asked. What __49__ me say it, I do not know. The words simply jumped out. “I’m ... a (an) ___50___ in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk stopped, her ball-point pen ___51__ in mid-air. She looked up __52__ she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your ___53__?” Coolly, I heard myself ___54__, “I have a continuing program of research in the

laboratory and in the field. I’m working for my masters (the whole family) and already have __55__ credits (令人增光的人或事物) (all daughters). I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). The job is more challenging than most jobs and the __56__ are in satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of __57__ in the clerk’s voice as she __58__ in the form. As I drove into our driveway(私家车道), I was __59__ by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3. Inside the house I could hear our new experimental model (six months) in the child-development program.

I felt successful. Motherhood...what a great __60__.

1. A. surprise          B. anxiety          C. anger            D. excitement

2. A. who               B. what             C. how          D. why

3. A. When              B. As               C. Before           D. Since

4. A. at                B. after                C. by           D. around

5.A. nervous            B. sure             C. anxious      D. uncertain

6.A. mother         B. worker               C. teacher      D. doctor

7. A. think             B. list             C. expect           D. give

8. A. since             B. unless               C. until            D. when

9.  A. got              B. caused               C. permit       D. made

10. A. researcher           B. manager          C. expert           D. scholar

11. A. dropped          B. floated              C. frozen           D. broke

12. A. so that          B. even though      C. as though        D. because of

13.A. family            B. subject              C. study            D. field

14. A. words                B. reply                C. shout            D. whisper

15. A. two              B. three                C. four         D. five

16. A. rewards          B. awards               C. profits          D. benefits

17. A. interest         B. respect              C. doubt            D fear

18.A. explained         B. passed               C. completed        D. filled

19.A. accepted          B. greeted          C. recognized       D. refused

20. A. person           B. award                C. career           D. business

 

 My parents don’t mind what job I do      I am happy.

A. even though       B. as soon as        C. as long as     D. as though

 

Jack wasn't allowed to go into the sports club ______ he left his membership card at home.

A. though             B. as                C. before          D. Until

 

A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone’s else or ourselves --- the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.

    We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.

    This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”

    Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clear will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh（刻薄的）and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.

    Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.

    Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem（自尊）and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.

1.The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.

A. not sticks and stones but words will hurt us 

B. inspiring words give us confidence

C. negative words may let us down

D. words have a lasting effect on us

2. There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______

A. almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves

B. we can benefit from talking to ourselves

C. talking to ourselves always gives us courage

D. it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone

3. The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______

A. praise ourselves                                                         B. remind ourselves

C. make ourselves relaxed                                              D. give ourselves amusement

4.The author would probably hold the view that ___________

A. encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers  

B. negative words may stimulate us to make more progress

C. people tend to remember friendly words

D. it is better to think twice before talking to others

 

My son loves video games very much. He spends hours every day playing video games in his room. Is there any redeeming（补偿的）educational value to video games? Some seem like they could help him learn strategy. But I worry others may be too violent or numb（使麻木）his mind.

Cecilia

Some games may improve kids’ hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Games that require kids to actually move or manipulate（操纵）the game through their own physical movement can even get sedentary kids moving, though not as much as they could if they actually played outside or participated in sports or other outdoor acuities. Others, though, don’t have such benefits, and violent video games have been shown that they might increase kid’s aggressive behavior.

Like a lot of aspects of raising kids, when it comes to video games, the healthiest approach is actually self-control.

The American academy of Pediatrics(AAP) recommends that kids should spend no more than 2 hours each day on screen time, including watching TV or movies, or playing computer or video games. So consider setting limits at least that strict to keep game playing from affecting their schoolwork, household responsibilities, and the physical activity your son needs very day.

Make sure that he’s playing games which are suitable for his age group. All video games are rated and labeled by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Steer clear of（避开）any rated “M” for mature. Those are for ages 17 and older and can contain heavy-duty violence, strong language, and sexual content.

Try to keep the video game console（游戏机控制板）in a common area of the house, not your son’s room. That way you can catch any inappropriate content in the games he’s playing, and he’ll be in a position to interact with others in the house while he’s playing.

Make sure your son has appealing alternatives, too, such as sports, activities, opportunities to socialize with peers; and downtime to be creative. If you continue to have concerns about his video game activity, talk with your doctor.

Reviewed by：Mary L. Gavin, MD

1.What is the opinion of Mary L. Gavin about playing video games?

A．Whether it’s beneficial or harmful depends on what the video games are.

B．It always improves kids’ hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.

C．It will make kids more violent and increase their aggressive behavior.

D．Kids should give it up and put their hearts fully into their schoolwork.

2.The underlined word “sedentary” in the first paragraph of the answer letter is the nearest in meaning to “______”.

A．unhealthy         B．lively             C．bright            D．inactive

3.According to Mary L. Gavin, which of the following is encouraged to do by parents?

A．Keep the video game console out of their house.

B．Allow their children to play only such video games as rated “M”

C．Let kids play video games as much as possible if it doesn’t affect their lessons.

D．Help their children develop other healthy hobbies such as sports and painting.

4.Which is the best title of this passage?

A．Should children play video games?

B．Kids’ playing video games is harmful.

C．Is playing video games good for kids?

D．Help children choose video games.