Positive Thought—A Strong Tool of Success

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs that arranged a running competition. The  36  was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had  37  around the tower to see the race and  38  on the competitors.

The race began. Honestly, no one in the crowd really  39  that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard  40  such as, “They will  41  make it to the top. Or: Not a chance that they will  42  . The tower is too high!”

The tiny frogs began falling,  43  , except for those, who in fresh tempo (速度) were climbing higher and higher. The crowd  44  to yell (大叫), “It’s too difficult!!! No one will make  45  !” More tiny frogs got tired and gave up, but one continued higher and higher and higher. This one wouldn’t give up!

At the end,  46  else had given up  47  the tower, except for one tiny frog. After a big  48  , he was the only one who reached the top! Then all the other tiny frogs  49  wanted to know how this frog  50  to do it.

A competitor asked the tiny frog  51  he had found the  52  to succeed and reach the goal. It turned out…that the winner was  53  !!!!

Never listen to other people’s tendencies to be  54  or pessimistic (悲观的) because they take your most  55 dreams and wishes away from you—the ones you have in your heart! You should always be positive and above all be deaf when people tell you that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

36. A. dream                        B. end                          C. result                     D. goal

37. A. prepared              B. gathered       C. started        D. hidden

38. A. cheer                 B. depend              C. call                D. turn

39. A. doubted              B. hoped               C. believed         D. predicted

40. A. statements        B. lines               C. orders          D congratulations

41. A. finally                B. sometimes            C. always                 D. never

42. A. fail                   B. succeed              C. fight                D. follow

43. A. one by one            B. hand in hand          C. year after year   D. up and down

44. A. stopped               B. wished              C. continued       D. forgot

45. A. that                  B. them               C. one             D. it

46. A. nobody              B. everyone            C. something       D. a few

47. A. climbing              B. building             C. painting         D. examining

48. A. rest                  B. decision             C. effort           D. difference

49. A. politely        B. carefully          C. naturally        D. seriously

50. A. pretended             B. tried                C. happened        D. managed

51. A. why                 B. how               C. when                 D. whether

52. A. strength               B. power              C. secret          D. bravery

53. A. blind                 B. disabled             C. dead                  D. deaf

54. A. positive               B. negative             C. common      D. active

55. A. interesting       B. dangerous           C. wonderful            D. frightening

Positive Thought—A Strong Tool of Success

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs that arranged a running competition. The  36  was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had  37  around the tower to see the race and  38  on the competitors.

The race began. Honestly, no one in the crowd really  39  that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard  40  such as, “They will  41  make it to the top. Or: Not a chance that they will  42  . The tower is too high!”

The tiny frogs began falling,  43  , except for those, who in fresh tempo (速度) were climbing higher and higher. The crowd  44  to yell (大叫), “It’s too difficult!!! No one will make  45  !” More tiny frogs got tired and gave up, but one continued higher and higher and higher. This one wouldn’t give up!

At the end,  46  else had given up  47  the tower, except for one tiny frog. After a big  48  , he was the only one who reached the top! Then all the other tiny frogs  49  wanted to know how this frog  50  to do it.

A competitor asked the tiny frog  51  he had found the  52  to succeed and reach the goal. It turned out…that the winner was  53  !!!!

Never listen to other people’s tendencies to be  54  or pessimistic (悲观的) because they take your most  55 dreams and wishes away from you—the ones you have in your heart! You should always be positive and above all be deaf when people tell you that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

36. A. dream                        B. end                          C. result                D. goal

37. A. prepared              B. gathered            C. started         D. hidden

38. A. cheer                 B. depend             C. call            D. turn

39. A. doubted              B. hoped              C. believed        D. predicted

40. A. statements                    B. lines                C. orders        D congratulations

41. A. finally                       B. sometimes           C. always                            D. never

42. A. fail                          B. succeed             C. fight                 D. follow

43. A. one by one            B. hand in hand          C. year after year          D. up and down

44. A. stopped               B. wished              C. continued             D. forgot

45. A. that                  B. them               C. one                  D. it

46. A. nobody              B. everyone            C. something            D. a few

47. A. climbing              B. building             C. painting             D. examining

48. A. rest                  B. decision             C. effort               D. difference

49. A. politely                B. carefully             C. naturally             D. seriously

50. A. pretended             B. tried                C. happened                    D. managed

51. A. why                 B. how               C. when                 D. whether

52. A. strength                      B. power              C. secret                 D. bravery

53. A. blind                 B. disabled             C. dead                  D. deaf

54. A. positive                      B. negative             C. common              D. active

55. A. interesting              B. dangerous           C. wonderful            D. frightening

People with a positive attitude toward aging can adjust very well when individual circumstances change. Their positive outlook allows them to   50   to the inevitable physical and biochemical changes of the body that are associated with the natural   51   of aging. With a healthy outlook on the golden years, even unpredictable setbacks and disabilities can be managed   52  .

Individual genetic makeup (基因构造) explains the great   53   in the aging rate. Some seniors experience more challenges than others of the same age, and some seniors continue to function better than many younger people. But genetics only   54   about 30 percent of aging. Most of the changes we associate with age   55   factors such as diet and exercise habits; lifestyle issues, including over   56   of alcohol and tobacco, and psychological traits.

We can make healthy lifestyle choices by staying   57   both physically and mentally and by   58   a healthy diet. Some of the setbacks associated with advancing age such as   59   eyesight, loss of hearing, forgetfulness, weakness can be forestalled with some active intervention（干预）.

Growing older does not always mean you see poorly. Many older people have   60   good eyesight well into their eighties and beyond. However, the single greatest contributor to vision loss is a lifetime of   61   to damaging ultraviolet (紫外线) radiation in sunlight.

Carotenoids（类胡萝卜素）, a nutrient found in brightly colored vegetables and fruits, are powerful protectors against free-radical damage. Research shows that simply eating leafy greens and other foods rich in these protective nutrients can   62   vision loss.

Problems with hearing can create   63   and insecurity in later years. One of the major causes of age-related hearing loss is damage to the hair cells in the inner ear that transmit sounds to the brain. These hair cells and their nerve endings can be damaged by infections, genetic diseases, or treatment with certain drugs. The most common cause,   64  , is loud noise.

50.   A. stick                B. devote               C. adapt                D. lead

51.   A. progress            B. process              C. program            D. project

52.   A. successfully       B. purposefully      C. unwillingly        D. carefully

53.   A. surprise             B. variation           C. increase             D. possibility

54.   A. relies on            B. accounts for       C. results from              D. lies in

55.   A. involve in         B. relate to            C. combine with     D. substitute for

56.   A. reputation         B. enjoyment               C. consumption      D. encouragement

57.   A. active               B. calm                 C. efficient            D. diligent

58.   A. maintaining              B. feeding             C. surviving           D. controlling

59.   A. keen                B. failing               C. sharp                D. remote

60.   A. generally           B. frequently         C. relatively           D. occasionally

61.   A. contribution      B. introduction       C. explanation        D. exposure

62.   A. cure                  B. relieve                     C. reduce               D. suffer

63.   A. communication  B. isolation            C. competition              D. occupation

64.   A. therefore           B. otherwise          C. moreover          D. however

Famous centenarians (百岁老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."

   Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens.

   Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation.

   Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder (胆囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.

   Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role".

   Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.

   With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.

1.From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______.

A. being active at 102 is achievable for everybody

B. Oliveira owes his long life to his mother’s help

C. being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character

D. social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior

2.How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?

A. 4                     B. 5                     C. 6                   D. 7

3.By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?” in Paragraph 5, Heesters shows us he ________.

A. wants to sit or lie in comfort

B. is waiting for people to pick him up

C. is willing to work till he dies

D. prefers to give performance at home

4.In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.

A. old age is a big problem if you want to succeed

B. as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic

C. old people should never think of themselves as old

D. old age cannot prevent a great person from achieving a lot

5.In the writer’s opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.

A. intelligent          B. pessimistic                    C. positive                       D. Diligent

 

Famous centenarians (百岁老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."

   Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens.

   Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation.

   Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder (胆囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.

   Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role".

   Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.

   With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.

1.From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______.

  A. being active at 102 is achievable for everybody

  B. Oliveira owes his long life to his mother’s help

  C. being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character

  D. social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior

2.How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?

  A. 4          B. 5            C. 6           D. 7

3.By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?” in Paragraph 5, Heesters shows us he ________.

  A. wants to sit or lie in comfort

B. is waiting for people to pick him up

  C. is willing to work till he dies

D. prefers to give performance at home

4.In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.

  A. old age is a big problem if you want to succeed

  B. as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic

  C. old people should never think of themselves as old

  D. old age cannot prevent a great person from achieving a lot

5.In the writer’s opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.

 A. intelligent       B. pessimistic          C. positive             D. diligent