While reading a story on 20-somethings complaining about how the economy was ruiningg their life plans, I couldn’t help but think the 20-somethings sounded like a bunch of spoiled who grew up expecting everything to be easy for them. As a 20-something myself, certainly share their disappointment : my husband and I probably won’t be able to buy a house until we’re in our 40s, and we two are burdened by student loans(贷款). But why should it be any different? Being young persons in America, shouldn’t they take up all of the challenges and opportunities that this country offers?
Consider some of these views shared in the story: Jennifer, 29, owner of a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, worries that she won’t be able to have children for at least a decade because they can’t afford to buy a house yet.
I read that, and I thought what planet she is living on where you need to own a house in order to have kids? Has she ever visited a developing country, or even downtown areas in this one? Home ownership is a luxury(奢华), not a fertility requirement.
A 26-year-old in the story is disappointed that he can’t afford to get a Ph. D in literature. Well, that sounds a bit like expressing disappointment that no one will pay you to write poetry on the beach in Thailand for five years.
Yes, it’s sad that these young people feel so lost. But I think the problem is their extremely high expectations, not economic reality. Beth Kobliner, author of Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, says that she thinks people’s expectations grew up at a time when everyone’s wealth appeared to be increasing, Their parents probably saw their home values rise along with their investments. “So you have people who have grown up in an environment where people had great expectations of what living well means,” says Kobliner.
This recession(经济衰退) will certainly play a role in forcing those expectations into more realistic group. In the meantime, it seems a lot better for our mental health to focus on being grateful---for our one-bedroom apartments, for living in modern cities, or perhaps just for being able to eat three meals a day---than on longing for some kind of luxury life.
小题1:. What makes the author think the 20-somethings sound like a bunch of spoiled children? | A．They expect everything to be easy for them. | | B．They complain that the economy is spoiling their life plans. | | C．They are unwilling to face all of the challenges. | | D．They are burdened by student loans. |
小题2:. The underlined word “fertility” in paragraph 3 probably means“_____”.| A．baby production | B．pleasant | C．baby comfort | D．comfortable |
小题3:. Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the complaints of the 20-somethings? | A．They can’t have children for at least a decade a decade to buy a house. | | B．They have only a one-bedroom apartment to live in. | | C．They can’t buy a house until 40 and are burdened by student loans. | | D．They despair at not being able to afford a PH. D in literature. |
小题4:. What’s the Kobliner’s attitude towards the 20-somethings with high expectations? | A．Unbearable | B．Opposite | C．Doubtful | D．Understanding |
小题5:What is the best title for this passage?| A．Young people afford to continue their study | | B．Young people can’t afford to buy a house | | C．Young people’s high hopes create despair | | D．The 20-somethings’ high expectations |
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小题1:B
小题2:A
小题3:B
小题4:D
小题5:C |
试题分析：
小题1:B 根据第一段的While reading a story on 20-somethings complaining about how the economy was ruiningg their life plans, I couldn’t help but think the 20-somethings sounded like a bunch of spoiled 可知B正确。
小题2:A 根据第三段 I thought what planet she is living on where you need to own a house in order to have kids和Has she ever visited a developing country, or even downtown areas in this one? Home ownership is a luxury(奢华)可知，作者认为拥有房子是很奢侈的事情，并不是生孩子的必要需求。
小题3:B 根据第二段的Consider some of these views shared in the story: Jennifer, 29, owner of a two-bedroom apartment with her husband可孩子，B项是错误的
小题4:.D 根据第五段Beth Kobliner, author of Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, says that she thinks people’s expectations grew up at a time when everyone’s wealth appeared to be increasing, Their parents probably saw their home values rise along with their investments. “So you have people who have grown up in an environment where people had great expectations of what living well means,” says Kobliner可知，Beth Kobliner认为这些年轻人过高的期望是有环境因素的，因此抱有理解的态度。
小题5:C 文章主要讲述的是年轻人过高的期望的原因和产生的后果，因此选择C
点评：文章主要讲述的是年轻人过高的期望的原因和产生的后果。以推理题的考查为主，在解答这类问题时要求学生抓住题干文字信息，采用针对性方法进行阅读，根据词义关系推断具体细节，结合上下文提供的语境和信息进行概括和判断。 |
核心考点
试题【While reading a story on 20-somethings complaining about how the economy was rui】；主要考察你对
题材分类等知识点的理解。
[详细]举一反三
Sometimes you"ll hear people say that you can"t love others until you love yourself. Sometimes you’ll hear people say that you can"t expect someone else to love you until you love yourself. Either way, you"ve got to love yourself first and this can be tricky. Sure we all know that we’re the apple of our parents’eyes，and that our Grandmas think we’re great talents and our Uncle Roberts think that we will go to the Olympics. But sometimes it"s a lot harder to think such nice thoughts about ourselves. If you find that believing in yourself is a challenge，it is time you build a positive self-image and learn to love yourself.
Self-image is your own mind’s picture of yourself. This image includes the way you look，the way you act，the way you talk and the way you think. Interestingly, our self-images are often quite different from the images others hold about us. Unfortunately, most of these images are more negative than they should be. Thus changing the way you think about yourself is the key to changing your self-image and your whole world
The best way to defeat a passive self-image is to step back and decide to stress your successes. That is，make a list if you need to，but write down all of the great things you do every day. Don’t allow doubts to occur in it.
It very well might be that you are experiencing a negative self-image because you can’t move past one flaw or weakness that you see about yourself. Well, roll up your sleeves and make a change of it as your primary task. If you think you’re silly because you aren’t good at math, find a tutor. If you think you’re weak because you can’t run a mile,get to the track and practice. If you think you’re dull because you don’t wear the latest trends，buy a few new clothes. But remember, just because you think it doesn’t mean it’s true.
The best way to get rid of a negative self-image is to realize that your image is far from objective，and to actively convince yourself of your positive qualities. Changing the way you think and working on those you need to improve will go a long way towards promoting a positive self-image. When you can pat yourself on the back，you’ll know you"re well on your way. Good luck!
小题1:You need to build a positive self-image when you___________.| A．dare to challenge yourself | B．feel it hard to change yourself | | C．are unconfident about yourself | D．have a high opinion of yourself |
小题2:According to the passage，our self-images___________.| A．have positive effects | B．are hot true | | C．are often changeable | D．have different functions |
小题3:How should you change your self-image according to the passage?| A．To keep a different image of others. | B．To make your life successful. | | C．To understand your own world. | D．To change the way you think. |
小题4: What is the passage mainly about?| A．How to prepare for your success. | B．How to face challenges in your life. | | C．How to build a. positive self-image. | D．How to develop your good qualities. |
小题5:. Who are the intended readers of the passage? | A．Parents. | B．Adolescents. | C．Educators. | D．People in general. |
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Growing up is not always easy. When facing difficulties, courage and a spirit of independence can be more useful than crying for __36___! That’s what Hong Zhanhui’s story of__37__ boy to man with family hardships tells us.
Hong was born in 1982 in a poor family in Xihua County, Henan Province. When he was ___38___ 11, his father became mentally ill and one day came back with an abandoned baby girl. A year later, Hong’s mother and younger brother both ___39__home because of poverty and pressure from his sick father.
Their burdens fell onto the 12-year-old’s shoulders: to treat his father’s illness, to ___40___ the adopted sister Chenchen, and to go on to study.
Hong didn’t __41___ . Since a young age, he has worked in part-time jobs to feed his family. At the same time, he has studied at college. To take care of Chenchen , he worked hard to___42__a room near his campus for her, and send her to school.
After Hong’s story went public, people were ___43___to tears by his unselfishness. Hard __44__ his life was, Hong didn’t abandon his father and the adopted ___45__, because they needed his help. With his hard-won money, he even aided other students ___46__against misfortunes.
Today when many tend to worry more about their own happiness, Hong’s deeds ___47__ us of what we usually neglect: Love and care for others. Without these, ___48___ of us could survive.
Hong ___49__ donations from others. He said that he felt encouraged by kind offers, but he could ___50__ his own work. Short of money to buy food, the boy climbed tall trees to get birds’ eggs for his baby sister. He walked two hours at weekends to buy different things to ___51__ around his school to earn money. Through his hard life, the boy developed ___52___ against misfortune that made him a hero in people’s eyes.
Hong’s story shows that with love and willpower, no hardship can ___53__ a person but himself. So when facing difficulties, don’t ___54__ about bad luck. Consider what more you could do for your family and society ___55___ you’ll find the world smiling back.
| 小题1: | | A．money | B．food | C．clothes | D．help |
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小题2:A caring B. growing C. moving D. turning
| 小题3: | | A．only | B．already | C．ever | D．still |
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| 小题4: | | A．stayed | B．went | C．sold | D．left |
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| 小题5: | | A．bring up | B．turn to | C．stick to | D．devote to |
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| 小题6: | | A．give away | B．give up | C．run out | D．turn down |
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| 小题7: | | A．build | B．rent | C．but | D．paint |
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| 小题8: | | A．encouraged | B．moved | C．inspired | D．made |
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| 小题9: | | A．as | B．because | C．unless | D．while |
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| 小题10: | | A．brother | B．daughter | C．sister | D．uncle |
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| 小题11: | | A．struggling | B．learning | C．standing | D．turning |
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| 小题12: | | A．left | B．remembered | C．reminded | D．told |
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| 小题13: | | A．any one | B．every one | C．none | D．no one |
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| 小题14: | | A．threw away | B．turned out | C．gave off | D．turned down |
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| 小题15: | | A．depend on | B．stick to | C．refer to | D．turn to |
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| 小题17: | | A．a chance | B．an ability | C．a spirit | D．a belief |
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| 小题18: | | A．bury | B．defeat | C．win | D．knock |
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| 小题19: | | A．worry | B．care | C．complain | D．joke |
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| 小题20: | | A．and | B．when | C．while | D．until |
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The night of graduation, I was afraid. Two hundred people were sitting out there. I felt tense and I wanted to run away, 36 I couldn’t! After all, my own children were sitting in front of me with many other persons. I couldn’t be a coward(懦夫) before 37 .
When I ended the speech, I was 38 at the cheering. And I never forget the first time I received the cheering in my life.
Flowers arrived 39 my brothers and sister. My husband gave me silk roses. The reporters came with 40 and recorders and lots of questions. There were tears and hugs and congratulations.
Sometimes, I sit down and 41 the tape of my gaduation speech. I hear myself say to the audience, “Don’t’ give up your 42 in life. Anything can happen if you believe. It means hard work, but 43 sure that you can do it, with God’s help.”
And then, I remember mother’s 44 to me , a young girl: “Hurry, Gin, you’ll be late for school.”
Yes, Mom, I was late 45 school, but it was sweeter for waiting. I only wish you and Dad could have been there to see your daughter and granddaughter in all their show and speech.
| 小题2: | | A．them | B．themselves | C．him | D．himself |
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| 小题3: | | A．worried | B．worrying | C．surprised | D．surprising |
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| 小题5: | | A．books | B．newspapers | C．cameras | D．cars |
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| 小题6: | | A．put up | B．put down | C．put on | D．put off |
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| 小题7: | | A．speech | B．ideas | C．dreams | D．love |
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| 小题9: | | A．shout | B．shouting | C．call | D．calling |
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If you are human, you can’t help but experience times when everything seems to be going wrong. You must also _36__as if your life is completely out of control at times. It is during those “down times” that words of encouragement from family, friends, co-workers or __37_strangers can boost(增强)your spirits. It is also during those __38_that negative words can be devastating (毁灭性的) and sink you deeper and deeper into depression.
For example, consider this story about a group of _39__who were traveling through the woods when __40__of them fell into a deep pit(坑). All of the other frogs gathered around the __41__.When they saw how _42__the pit was, they told the two _43__frogs they would never get out.
The two frogs didn’t obey what other frogs said and tried to __44__ out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them not to jump, _45__it was in vain. Finally, one of the frogs followed what the other frogs were saying and simply _46. He fell down and _47_. The other frog continued to jump as __48_as he could. Once again the crowd of frogs shouted at him to _49__ the pain. The more they _50__, the harder he jumped and finally he __51__to safety.
When he __52_, the other frogs asked him why he continued to jump when they were all __53__him to simply quit. The frog __54_to them that he was a little bit deaf. He thought they were _55__him all the time.
| 小题1: | | A．think | B．experience | C．seem | D．feel |
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| 小题2: | | A．so | B．just | C．even | D．ever |
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| 小题3: | | A．processes | B．times | C．courses | D．practices |
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| 小题4: | | A．frogs | B．mice | C．dogs | D．cats |
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小题5: A. two B. three c.many D. few
| 小题6: | | A．hole | B．pit | C．water | D．well |
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| 小题7: | | A．muddy | B．wide | C．deep | D．long |
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| 小题8: | | A．uncomfortable | B．unpleasant | C．unhappy | D．unfortunate |
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| 小题9: | | A．run | B．walk | C．climb | D．jump |
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| 小题10: | | A．so | B．as long as | C．because | D．although |
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| 小题11: | | A．gave out | B．gave up | C．gave away | D．gave off |
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| 小题12: | | A．died | B．wounded | C．destroyed | D．damaged |
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| 小题13: | | A．fast | B．hard | C．easily | D．swiftly |
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| 小题14: | | A．help | B．ban | C．forbid | D．stop |
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| 小题15: | | A．cried | B．spoke | C．shouted | D．read |
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| 小题16: | | A．get it | B．forget it | C．use it | D．made it |
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| 小题17: | | A．turned out | B．kept out | C．got out | D．held out |
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| 小题18: | | A．taking to | B．shouting at | C．throwing at | D．speaking to |
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| 小题19: | | A．explained | B．announced | C．introduced | D．told |
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小题20: A. encouraging B. helping C. pulling D dragging |
For many years, I was convinced that my suffering was due to my size. I believed that when the weight disappeared, it would take old wounds, hurts and rejections with it.
Many weight-conscious people also mistakenly believe that changing our bodies will fix everything. Perhaps our worst mistake is believing that being thin equals being loved, being special, and being cherished. We fantasize about what it will be like when we reach the long-awaited goal. We work very hard to realize this dream. Then, at last, we find ourselves there.
But we often gain back what we have lost. Even so, we continue to believe that next time it will be different. Next time, we will keep it off. Next time, being thin will finally fulfill its promise of everlasting happiness, self-worth, and, of course, love.
It took me a long while to realize that there was something more for me to learn about beauty. Beauty standards vary with culture. In Samoa a woman is not considered attractive unless she weighs more than 200 pounds. More importantly, if it’s happiness that we want, why not put our energy there rather than on the size of our body? Why not look inside? Many of us strive hard to change our body, but in vain. We have to find a way to live comfortably inside our body and make friends with and cherish ourselves. When we change our attitudes toward ourselves, the whole world changes.
小题1:What does the underlined word “everything” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．All the problems. | B．All the properties. | | C．The whole world. | D．The absolute truth. |
小题2:What can be inferred about the author?| A．The author is a Samoan. | | B．The author succeeded losing weight. | | C．The author has been troubled by her weight. | | D．The author probably got wounded in an accident. |
小题3:According to the text, those who have lost weight first and gained it back later feel _______.| A．angry about the regained weight | | B．indifferent to the regained weight | | C．optimistic about future plans on weight control | | D．they should give up their future plans on weight control |
小题4:The text tries to stress the importance of ____________.| A．body size | B．attitudes toward life | | C．culture difference | D．different beauty standards |
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