I will probably remember one June day seven years ago for the rest of my life. My father had been complaining that my brother and I were watching too much TV, but we ignored him. Then one day we came home and the television was gone.

When I asked my father about the missing TV, he said watching television was a waste of time. Without it, we would have time for other things.

I decided he was wrong. Is there life without TV? How can we spend the week without all those shows and soaps? I was sure my life would be boring without TV, I used my best debating skills to argue with him, but he would not give in.

However, I found other ways to spend my time finally, Each day I ran around the street. This reminded me of my love for athletics, which I still enjoy. I joined Volunteers, and I built lasting friendships. Most importantly, I discovered an artistic world I never knew. I started taking art contests, and was shocked when I won. Then I took piano lessons. I began to like listening to AM radio, reading news magazines.

Living without TV has taught me how to manage my time, so that I can do many things in one day. I am proud to have learned I don’t need television.

Looking back, I think my father did the right thing. “You are smart. You could do anything that you put your heart to.” he used to say. He believed in us. His actions showed me a much more colorful side of life without TV and the value of having a goal and sticking to it.

1.My father was angry and took the television away because _______.

A. we asked him to do so              

B. my brother and I did not need it

C. he needed some money       

D. my brother and I watched too much TV

2.What did I do after the TV was missing?

A. I went to my friend’s house to watch TV.

B. I stayed at home all day.

C. I asked my father to buy a new television.

D. I did many useful things.

3._______ is NOT what I did after the TV was missing?

A. Running around the street     

B. Sleeping day in and day out

C. Listening to the radio        

D. Taking art contests

4.The author mainly tells us that _______.

A. life without TV can be very colorful          

B. life would be boring without TV

C. people can’t spend the week without shows and soaps

D. watching television was a waste of time

Negative （消极的）self talk and negative energy can affect you in many ways and cause you additional stress. Because of this，developing more Positive self talk is an important way to reduce stress in your life. You can help yourself keep a positive frame of mind 一which will help with positive self talk一by surrounding yourself with positive energy in your life. You can get that by adding some elements to your life.

Listening to music that not only has a soothing melody，but an uplifting(令人振奋的) message，can be great for developing positive self talk. Have you ever had a song “stuck in your head” for a few hours or days，the lyrics(歌词) repeating themselves in your mind?’’ If those lyrics were positive and inspirational，that would be a good thing. It’s a much better mental soundtrack to have than a running stream of complaints，criticisms of self-limiting thoughts，or even songs that had more depressing or sad lyrics.

Books on strength, personal power, enlightenment, or self help can be good resources to help you change your outlook and the things you say to yourself. Rather than bringing habitual self-defeating thoughts，you can find yourself thinking of new can-do concepts when times get tough.

One of the most important ways you can get and keep positive energy in your life is with the company you keep. Do your friends uplift you，or bring you down? Are they critical，or complementary? Ideal friendships provide support when you’re down, fun when you’re up，wisdom when you’re lost，and positive regard. Good friends can inspire you to reach greater heights，and see your strengths even when you don’t always. Pay attention to how your friends make you feel，and if they’re less than supportive，start putting your energy and time toward people who are better suited to be your friend.

In addition，positive affirmations （肯定） can certainly change your self talk from negative to positive. Now，why not begin working positive affirmations into your life in some creative ways?

1. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. Reducing stress by surrounding yourself with positive energy.

B. Adding some elements to your life.

C. Getting positive energy from the company you keep.

D. Changing your self talk with positive affirmation.

2.How many ways does the author suggest to keep a positive frame of mind?

A. 3.          B. 4.         C. 5.          D. 6.

3.According to the passage，your best company should be those who __________.

A. uplift you or bring you down                     B. provide fun when you’re down

C. encourage you to do things even better      D. are less than supportive

4. What will probably be talked about in the following paragraph?

A. How negative self talk influences a person.

B. How positive self talk reduces stress in one’s life.

C. Some great ways of making great friends.

D. Some creative ways of practicing affirmation.

Today the car is the most popular sort of transportation in all of the United States.It has completely 1 the horse as a 2 of everyday transportation.Americans use their car for 3 90% of all 4 business.Most Americans are able to 5 cars.The average price of a 6 made car was ,050 in 1950, ,470 in 1960 and up to ,750 7 1975.During this period American car manufacturers set about 8 their products and work efficiency.As aresult, the yearly income of the 9 family increased from 1950 to 1975 10 than the price of cars.For this reason 11 a new car takes a smaller 12 of a family?s total earnings today.In 1951 13 it took 8.1 months of an average family?s 14 to buy a new car.In 1962 a new car 15 8.3 of a family?s annual earnings, by 1975 it only took 4.75 16 income.In addition, the 1975 cars were technically 17 to models from previous years.The 18 of automobile extends throughout the economy 19 the car is so important to American.Americans spend more money 20 keeping their cars running than on any other item.

1.A.denied B.reproduced C.replaced D.ridiculed

2.A.means B.mean C.types D.kinds

3.A.hardly B.nearly C.certainly D.somehow

4.A.personal B.personnel C.manual D.artificial

5.A.buy B.sell C.race D.see

6.A.quickly B.regularly C.rapidly D.recently

7.A.on B.in C.before D.after

8.A.raising B.making C.reducing D.improving

9.A.unusual B.smallest C.average D.biggest

10.A.slower B.equal C.faster D.less

11.A.bringing B.obtain C.bought D.purchasing

12.A.part B.half C.number D.quality

13.A.clearly B.proportionally C.percentage D.suddenly

14.A.income B.work C.plans D.debts

15.A.used B.spent C.cost D.needed

16.A.month?s B.year?s C.family D.year

17.A.famous B.superior C.fastest D.better

18.A.running B.notice C.influence D.affect

19.A.then B.as C.so D.which

20.A.to B.in C.of D.for

My chance came at last. Our school was going to hold a sports meet. I knew what it   21   to me so I got up very early to prepare for it. I  22   running and jumping. When I was   23 , I reminded myself of my promise and went on.

  24   the time came nearer, I felt quite   25  . On the first day I came fourth in the 1500m   26   but I was far from   27   because what I wanted most was the highlight of the sports meeting—250x8 relay race. I would run the last leg for my team.

With a shot, the race began. All the students were   28   for their team. The competition was so   29   that I began to feel nervous. Before my turn came, my team was   30   the others. Even worse, I almost dropped the stick when I was trying to   31   it.

  32  after that, there was nothing in my mind except to run as fast as possible. Just when I was approaching the finish line, my legs   33  . Then my promise came to mind again and   34   me to go on. To my surprise, I was the first to   35  the finish line!

  36  , I had proved to myself and those who had often laughed at me that I am not   37   at all! My classmates greeted me warmly and I hugged them tightly. I had won the prize as well as their   38  .

From the sports meeting, I learnt that sometimes things are not so difficult as they   39   to be. Just try your best without fear and you might be surprised at the   40  .

1. A. mattered          B. held             C. meant                D. brought

2.A. exercised          B. practiced            C. chose                D. tried

3.A. tired              B. upset                C. lazy             D. happy

4.A. For                B. By               C. With             D. As

5.A. confident          B. worried          C. proud                D. nervous

6.A. run                B. jump             C. race             D. match

7. A. happy             B. sad              C. excited          D. pleased

8.A. heading                B. racing               C. cheering         D. shouting

9.A. difficult              B. close                C. heated               D. near

10.A. running before        B. leading         C. falling behind    D.catching up with

11.A. fetch             B. hold             C. pass             D. take

12.A. Then              B. But              C. Thus             D. Even

13.A. gave in               B. gave out         C. gave up          D. gave away

14.A. had               B. made             C. let              D. got

15.A. draw              B. cut              C. cross                D. catch

16.A. At last               B. After all            C. Above all            D. As a result

17.A. bad               B. weak             C. slow             D. strong

18.A. congratulations       B. respect              C. support          D. pride

19.A. seem              B. hope             C. look             D. expect

20. A. beginning            B. place                C. result               D. time

Wishing to encourage her young son’s progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were   1 , the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the passage to greet her.
Seizing the   2  to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and 3__ explored his way through a door marked “NO ADMITTANCE.” When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and 4  that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In __5  , the mother saw her little boy sitting at the key-board, 6__ picking out Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
At that moment, the great piano master made his 7 , quickly moved to the piano, and __8  in the boy’s ear, “Don’t quit. Keep playing.”
Then 9 over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato (伴奏). Together, the old master and the young novice (beginner) transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully 10 experience. The audience was strongly 11  .
That’s the way it is in life. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly 12 . We try our best, but the 13  aren’t exactly graceful flowing music. But when we trust in the hands of a Greater Power, our life’s work 14 can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to 15 great achievements, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, “Don’t quit. Keep playing.”