Years ago, I lived in a building in a large city. The next building only was a few feet away from mine.
They was a woman lived there, and I had never met her, yet I could see she sat by her window each
afternoon, sewing or reading.
     After several months had gone by, I began to notice that her window was dirty. Everything was unclear
through the dirty window. I would say to myself. "I wonder why that woman doesn't wash her window. It
really looks terrible."
     One bright morning I decided to clean my flat, including washing the window on the inside.
     Late in the afternoon when I finished the cleaning, I sat down by the window with a cup of coffee for a
rest. What a surprise! Across the way, the woman sitting by her window was clearly visible (看見). Her
window was clean!
     Then it dawned on me. I had been criticizing (批評) her dirty window, but all the time I was watching
hers through my own dirty window.
     That was quite an important lesson for me. How often had I looked at and criticized others through the
dirty window of my heart, through my own shortcomings?
     Since then, whenever I wanted to judge (評判) someone, I asked myself first, "Am I looking at him
through my own dirty window?" I try to clean the window of my own world so that I may see the world
about me more clearly.

1. The writer couldn't see everything clearly through the window because _________.

A. the woman's window was dirty
B. the writer's window was dirty
C. the woman lived nearby
D. the writer was near-sighted

2. The writer was surprised that _________.

A. the woman was sitting by her window
B. the woman's window was still terrible
C. the woman did cleaning in the afternoon
D. the woman's window was clean

3. "It dawned on me" probably means "_________".

A. I began to understand it
B. it cheered me up
C. I knew it grew light
D. it began to get dark

4. It's clear that _________.

A. the writer had never met the woman before
B. the writer often washed the window
C. they both worked as cleaners
D. they lived in a small town

5. From the passage, we can learn _________.

A. one shouldn't criticize others very often
B. one should often make his windows clean
C. one must judge himself before he judges others
D. one must look at others through his dirty windows

       A friend of mine asked me the question, "Who said life was going to be fair, or that it was even meant
to be fair?" Her question was a good one. It reminded me of something I was taught as a youngster: Life isn't
fair. It's a bummer, but it's absolutely true. 
      One of the mistakes many of us make is that we feel sorry for ourselves, or for others, thinking that life
should be fair, or that someday it will be. It's not and it won't. One of the nice things about surrendering (承認(rèn))
to the fact that life isn't fair is that it keeps us from feeling sorry for ourselves by encouraging us to do the
very best we can with what we have. We know it's not "life's job" to make everything perfect it's our own
challenge. Surrendering to this fact also keeps us from feeling sorry for others because we are reminded that
everyone is dealt a different hand; everyone has his own strengths and problems in the process of growing up,
facing the reality and making decisions; and everyone has those times that they feel cheated or unfairly treated.
     The fact that life isn't fair doesn't mean we shouldn't do everything in our power to improve our own lives
or the world as a whole. Instead, it suggests that we should. When we don't recognize or admit that life isn't
fair, we tend to feel pity for others and for ourselves. Pity is a self-defeating (自我挫敗的) emotion that does
nothing for anyone, except to make everyone feel worse than they already do. When we do recognize that life
isn't fair, however, we feel compassion (同情) for others and for ourselves. And compassion is a heatfelt
emotion that delivers loving-kindness to everyone it touches. The next time you find yourself thinking about
the unfair world, try reminding yourself of this very basic fact. You may be surprised that it can push you out
of self-pity and into helpful action.

1. The words "a bummer" in the first paragraph probably means ___.

A. a chance
B. a disappointment
C. a choice
D. an embarrassment

2. Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?

A. We cannot just feel sorry, but take actions.
B. We may feel worse when we realize the unfaimess.
C. Life will become fair someday through our great efforLs.
D. Pity is a self-defeating emotion delivering loving-kindness.

3. The best title for the passage is___.

A. Push You out of Self-pity
B. Face the Problems in Your Life
C. Encourage Yourself to Do the Best
D. Surrender to the Fact that Life Isn't Fair

    Studies have shown it takes a doctor about 18 seconds to stop a patient after he begins talking. 
    It was Sunday. I had one last patient to see. I came close to her room in a hurry and stood at the doorway.
She was an older woman, sitting at the edge of the bed, trying to put socks on her swollen(腫大的) feet. I
spoke quickly to the nurse, saw her chart saying she was in stable(穩(wěn)定的) condition. I was almost in the
clear. 
   She asked if I could help put on her socks. Instead, I began a long speech that went something like this:
" How are you feeling? Your blood sugar and blood pressure (血壓)were high but they're better today. The
nurse said you can't wait to see your son who's visiting you today. It's nice to have a family visit from far
away. I'm sure you really look forward to seeing him. "
    She stopped me with a serious voice. " Sit down, doctor. This is my story, not your story. "
    I was surprised and ashamed. I sat down. I helped her with the socks. She began to tell me that her only
son lived around the corner from her, but she had not seen him in five years. She believed that the pressure of
this caused greatly to her health problems. After hearing her story and putting on her socks, I asked if there
was anything else I could do for her. She shook her head and smiled. All she wanted me to do was to listen.
     Listening to someone's story costs less than expensive diagnostic(診斷的) testing but is key to healing
(痊愈).
     I often thought of what that woman taught me the importance of stopping, sitting down and truly listening.
And, not long after, unexpectedly, I became the patient, with a diagnosis of sclerosis(硬化癥) at age 31. Now,
 20 years later, I sit all the time in a wheelchair.
     For as long as I could, I continued to see patients from my chair, but I had to give up my job when my
hands were influenced. I still teach medical students and other health care professionals, but now from the view
of doctor and patient.
    I tell them I believe in the power( 力量) of listening. I tell them I know firsthand that huge healing takes place within me when someone stops, sits down and listens to my story.  

1. What does"I was almost in the clear" mean?

A. I thought everything was clear.
B. I was about to finish my work.
C. I almost made myself understood.
D. I was very quickly out of her sight.

2. From the 4th paragraph, we can infer the woman ___from the way she said.

A. showed her anger and impatience
B. refused to listen to the doctor
C. liked giving orders to people
D. could not wait to break in

3. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Listening-a Powerful Medicine
B. An Unforgettable Experience
C. A Lesson Given by a Patient
D. Care—a Key to Treatment .

     In today's world many people seem to be hungry for money. Some of them even lose their lives for it.
Money does have its most useful effect (影響) on the poor, but once a person has a rich life, a lot more
money doesn't mean more happiness.
     If money was everything, all millionaires (百萬富翁) would have true love, true friendship, good health
and a long life. However, this is not always true.
      Nothing else is more pleasant than the three words which are "I love you". But can love be bought? I'm
afraid not. Love means to give, not to take. To every person, health and long life are probably the most
precious (寶貴的) things. Well, can health and a long life be bought with money? The answer is "No". Of all
the longest living people in the world, few of them are millionaires. True friendship can't be bought either.
     In a word, where money is worshiped, money can cause brothers to quarrel, lovers to hate, strangers to
fight and so on. No matter how much money you have, it is still not enough to make you a happy person if
you have not one to laugh with, no one to cry for.

1. What's the most important thing for every person in the writer's opinion?

A. Money.
B. Health and a long life.
C. Friendship.
D. Love.

2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. If you don't have much money, you can't get more happiness.
B. You may have a long life even if you are poor.
C. Every year many people die because their families are poor.
D. If you are rich, you will have real friendship.

3. What does the underlined word mean in Chinese?

A. 崇拜
B. 貶值
C. 鄙視
D. 揮霍

4. The passage mainly tells us that ____.

A. money is as important as true love
B. money isn't necessary
C. money is important, but not the most important
D. money can cause some problem

5. What does the underlined sentence mean in Chinese?

A. 愛意味著給你，而不是帶走。
B. 愛是可以得到的，不要走開。
C. 愛意味著奉獻(xiàn)，而不是索取。
D. 愛是可以索取的，而不必付出。

     For a long time being happy was considered natural, and there was nothing special to do about it. Now
we know that we can work at getting along well with other people. It is possible to act in such a way that
other people will like us better.
     One way is being unselfish, not wanting everything your own way or asking for the best share of
everything, including the attention of your friends. Another way is to look for good points, not bad ones in
other people.
     You don't have to be spineless (無骨氣的) in order to be popular. In fact, you will be liked and respected
(尊重) if you are not afraid to stand up for your rights (權(quán)利). But do it politely and pleasantly. One way to
develop a good character is being friendly and polite to your own group, to older people, to strangers and
especially to those who do not look important or do not interest you.
     You cannot expect to be perfect, so you must learn not to be too unhappy when you make a mistake.
Everyone makes mistakes, and no one is to be blamed unless he refuses to learn from them. Many young
people become discouraged (泄氣的) when they know their unpleasant qualities-selfishness, laziness, etc.
Just remember that we all have some of these faults and have to fight against them.
     When something is wrong, it is best to try to make it right. Perhaps you don't like a teacher or a classmate.
Try to see why, and look at yourself, too. Make sure that you are not doing something to make others dislike
you. In time, things may turn out all right, then you simply have to learn to get along the best you can with the
situation, without thinking too much about it. Worrying never helps in a situation you can't change.

1. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined part?

A. Not sharing anything with others.
B. Not thinking too much of yourself.
C. Not attracting the attention of your friends.
D. Not making friends with people who have bad points.

2. How can we get along well with others according to the passage?

A. We should find out unpleasant qualities in others and in ourselves.
B. We should show others our unpleasant qualities.
C. We should stand up for our rights in any way we like.
D. We should fight against our unpleasant qualities.

3. What can we know from the passage?

A. Even if we don't have good relationships with others, we needn't work at it.
B. Even if someone is not important to us, we still need to treat him politely.
C. Even if we are willing to learn from our mistakes, we are still to be blamed.
D. Even if the situation cannot be changed, we still need to worry much about it.

     For many years I had a good life. My illness was reasonably (適度的) under control, I had a nice
relationship with my husband, I did work, I didn't hate. It was, as I said, a good life.
     But there's a saying that the good is the enemy of the best. I finally realized this one day, and began
making my best life. I changed doctors and tried a new way that could relieve (減輕) my symptoms (癥
狀), rather than just making them easier to deal with. I started talking more with my husband and listening
to what he had to say. And I quit (辭掉) my job and started working for myself.
     I have the best life I've ever had. I'd call it great. It is possible there's a better life for me, which would
then be my "best life", but for now I don't think so. I've started a business I love. My husband and kids
are wonderful. I have a good friend and I'm close to my older sister who lives in town. Could it get better?
I suppose so. But for me I think this is the best life I can have right now.
     Think more about your life. Where are you living? Are you in a job you just don't mind? What makes
your life "good"? Why isn't it great? What's the enemy of the best and what can you do about it?
     Enjoy your best life. We're only here for a short while, and we all need to have the best possible time
we can. It's like going to Disney World. If you spend too much time standing in line waiting for the ride,
pretty soon your time's up. Get out of the "good" line and have your best life.

1. Which of the following is NOT included in the writer's "good life"?

A. Having a job.
B. Having no hate.
C. Getting on well with her husband.
D. Living close to her good friend.

2. The writer quit her job because she _____.

A. was ill B. didn't like working
C. wanted to go for her best life
D. wanted to enjoy her good life

3. What did the writer do to make her best life?
    ①She visited other doctors.
    ②She started a business she loved.
    ③She played more with her kids.
    ④She talked more with her husband.
    ⑤She spent much time in Disney World.

A. ①②④ B
.②③④
C.①③⑤
D.①②⑤

4. What's the enemy of the best?

A. Illness.
B. A good job.
C. Being proud.
D. Being satisfied.

5. What is the best title for the article?

A. Attitude to Life
B. Making Your Best Life
C. What Makes Your Life "Good"
D. A New Way to Treat the Illness

     Life is not always perfect (完美). So you should learn to enjoy your life. Try to stay happy most of
the time, it can help you live healthier and longer.
     Here are some (1) w________ to help you live your life more happily.
     Write (2) d________ all the good things. These can make you happier. And as for the (3) b________
things, do not keep thinking of them.
     Do not try to compare (比較) with others. They might have a bigger house or a (4) m________ expensive
car. Who cares? 
     Stay more with your family and friends. They are the most important parts (5) i________ your life. Your
life may be (6) v________ busy, you don't have to do what others ask you to do each time. Remember to tell
your family and friends that you love them.
     Take more outdoor activities. You can go hiking in the mountains to breath fresh (7) a________. It can
make you relaxed. You can also go to the beach to enjoy beach volleyball.
     Learn new things. There's always (8) s________ new to learn. Read a book or learn on a computer, they
can open your mind to the world.
     Give a helping hand to others. It is also helpful for (9) y________ and others. You make them happier,
and you will be the happiest of all.
     (10) I ________ you remember to follow the ideas, you will have a perfect life.