4.　　　 Which of the following statements about miserable children isn’t true? ______

A.　　　　 Some children are abandoned because their parents are too poor to take care of them

B.　　　　 Some children have to make their own living because their parents are dead or sick.

C.　　　　 Some children sell things for twelve hours a day and sleep in the train station at night

D.　　　　 These children complain about their situation.

3.　　　 Why did the girl attend school one week out of two, then her sister attended every other week? ______

A.　　　　 Because they had only one pair of shoes to share.

B.　　　　 Because they had no money to buy books and pencils.

C.　　　　 Because they were unlucky.

D.　　　　 Because they disliked school.

2.　　　 The phrase “one week out of two” in the third paragraph means _______

A.　　　　 Once a week

B． once every other week

C． twice a week

D.　 twice every other week

1.　　　 According to the second paragraph, when they have something new or expensive, they _____

A.　　　　 enjoy it

B.　　　　 feel unhappy

C.　　　　 show it off

D.　　　　 dislike it

5.　　　 Having good manners makes things ________

A.　　　 terrible

B.　　　　 difficult

C.　　　　 easier

D.　　　 ugly

Passage 87　 Money is not so important

A newspaper published a letter from a father who said his son dislikes him because he doesn’t earn much money and feels unhappy when he sees his classmates wearing famous brand clothes or being driven to school in a car.

When they have something new or expensive, instead of enjoying it for themselves, some people like to show it off. They take great pleasure and feel more wealthy if others don’t have the same thing. Children especially are often cruel to other children.

Many children can’t go to school because their families have no money to buy books and pencils. This is not only true in China. When I started do teach, one of my 16 years old students used to attend school one week out of two. Then, we discovered that her sister attended every other week. In fact, they had only one pair of shoes to share…How lucky we were, for we could go to school every day, grow up healthy, learn how to become a good citizen and serve society.

Children who blame their parents should know that there are some crippled children that are taken to a far place by their parents who are too poor to take care of them and just abandoned them. They should also know that there are 10 or 14-year-old children whose parents are dead or sick, and who have to make their own living, alone in the city, selling things for twelve hours a day and sleeping in the train station at night. These children would envy those who complain about their situation.

In a country, not all the people can become rich at the same time. Some have to wait, but those who succeed first must help the others. We should teach our children not to think only of themselves but of the whole country.

Egoistic children who want to live like little princes and princesses break their parents’ hearts. I would like to tell them: Your parents work hard and do their best. They care for your health and for your studies because they love you. They may not have much money, but it’s clean money. An easy material life often ruins the character and produces lazy people

China is now in a very important period of its history. Today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders. They should prepare themselves well; we need them and want to be proud of them.

4.　　　 If a woman with a very ugly hat asks you whether you like it, it is better　 ______

A.　　　 To say “No, that’s the ugliest hat I have ever seen!”

B.　　　　 To be totally honest

C.　　　　 To hurt her

D.　　　 To say “Well, it certainly looks nice on you.”

3.　　　 Which of the following isn’t respectful? ______

A.　　　 Speak to everyone respectfully.

B.　　　　 Do or say things that will hurt others.

C.　　　　 Offer to help an old lady across the street.

D.　　　 Hold the door for one whose arms are full of packages.

2.　　　 Be polite to everyone means __________

A.　　　 Threatening

B.　　　　 Insulting

C.　　　　 Smiling

D.　　　 Demanding

1.　　　 What keeps us from being out off from our fellows?

A.　　　 It is our ability to communicate with each other.

B.　　　　 It is politeness

C.　　　　 It is thoughtfulness.

D.　　　 It is helpfulness.

4.　　　 The author suggests that you had better stick to commerce because _______

A.　　　 You don’t possess that equipment

B.　　　　 You won’t find leisure enough

C.　　　　 You possess that equipment

D.　　　 You make an opening in the scientific ranks for yourself

Passage 86　 Good manners

No man is an island. More than anything else, what keeps us from being out off from our fellows on separate island is our ability to communicate with each other. Through communication we build bridges into other people’s minds and thus share experiences. The best and most useful way to sound communication is common courtesy, that is, good manners. This includes politeness, respect, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, understanding and tact.

Be polite to everyone, no matter who he is. Greet people pleasantly, and remember to smile. A smile on your face will make your appearance more welcome, and people will probably smile in return, too.　 Don’t be rude or insulting or demanding. Even if you are angry or upset, patience and politeness will usually get you further than threats and insults.

Show respect for everyone, male and female, young and old, and especially your elders. Speak to them respectfully, and do not interrupt them. Listen to their advice. When you behave this way, you will most likely have earned the same respect.

Be helpful whenever you can. Hold the door for one whose arms are full of packages. Offer to help an old lady across the street. If someone asks you for directions take the time to help him if you can. This will brighten both his day and yours.

Be thoughtful and understanding. Imagine yourself in the other person’s place. Respect the needs, wishes, and opinions of other people. Consider their feelings, and don’t do or say things that will hurt them.

Often it is better to be tactful than totally honest. For example, if a woman with a very ugly hat asks you whether you like it, it is nice to say, “well, it certainly looks nice on you” than to say, “No, that’s the ugliest hat I have ever seen!” Be kind to others, and you will be admired for your kindness.

Having good manners makes things easier. When you are nice to people, they are nice in return. Show them common courtesy, and they will do the same for you.