“Mind your own business．” we’re told．“Don’t talk about others behind their backs．”The problem with this advice is that，not only is it unrealistic，it’s also counterproductive(起反作用的)．

??? Common sense holds that gossip(流言蜚語)hurts people’s feelings and damages relationships．But recent research shows the opposite—that strong communities and relationships between people would be impossible without gossip．

??? Gossip is a way for people to let you know the limits of social behavior．“If you move into a community and your neighbor tells you how the former homeowner never dealt with his rubbish properly，his gossip is letting you in on something，”says Dr．Ralph Rosnow of Temple University．“Gossip says：these are the boundaries and you are crossing them．You’re not abiding by the rules and you’d better get back in line．” Seen this way，gossip is a way to communicate criticism(批評)without conflict(沖突)，giving you a chance to change your behavior without losing face．

??? On the other hand，what about ill-willed gossip，the kind that puts other people down? Gossip is hearing something we like about someone we don’t and，in nearly every country in the world，gossip magazines have huge numbers of readers．According to researchers，however，this kind of gossip also has a good side because it helps us put our own problems in perspective(正確地)．“If we read bad news about well-known people，or get the frightful details of our neighbors’ bad situation over a cup of coffee，our own problems begin to pale in comparison(對比)，”says Dr．Jack Levin of Northeastern University．

??? However，that doesn’t mean that gossip is necessarily a good thing，either．Researchers found that people who gossip a lot tend to feel like they’re under a lot of stress．This might be because while they’re busy talking about other people，they’re also busy thinking what other people are saying about them．
1.What is the purpose of the text?

A．To encourage us to spread gossip about others．

B．To prevent us from spreading gossip about others。

C．To make a comparison between good gossip and bad gossip．

D．To recognize certain positive functions of gossip．

2.According to the passage，people in general think that__________．

A．it’s a bad habit to gossip

B．nobody pays attention to gossip

C．not all the gossip you hear is worth believing

D．it’s necessary to have a nice gossip with a friend or neighbor

3.The underlined phrase “abiding by” in Paragraph 3 most probably means“________”．

A．making??? ????????????? ????????????? B．breaking??? ????????????? ????????????? C．obeying??? ????????????? D．changing

4.It could be learned from the passage that__________.

A. people under much stress enjoy gossiping about others.

B. in a way gossip helps us deal with our own problems.

C. in fact most people tend to believe gossip.

D. the more there is gossip, the stronger relationships become between people.

In today’s fast paced，high stress world people are working longer hours than ever, and often exhaust themselves at day’s end in front of the television to relax enough to begin again in the morning. However, television watching, for most people, does not really lower stress. Studies show that TV viewing more than an hour or so actually creates stress and, especially in women, may lead to the blues. Most individuals are unaware that doing some exercise after work makes them more energetic since it increases energy levels.

??? Wise use of free time does not mean getting an advanced degree, although the mental encouragement gained through education is unbeatable in keeping your mind active. Learning new things nearly always adds a spark to your daily life, especially if it is a favorite topic, such as sport, fashion, or art. Also, look through your bookstore or library to find books on your interests. Try to replace a half hour TV watching with reading.[來源:學_科_網(wǎng)Z_X

??? It is reported that in the United States recently, many individuals have as few as two good friends. Long work hours and car commute act to separate people from each other. This separation is deadly. Find ways to meet people at the end of the day and on weekends. Often this call be best done by combining activities, such as by joining a walking group to get both exercise and companionship. Taking a class will lift your spirits and allow you to meet others with similar interests. Hobbies are great for reducing stress and provide another opportunity for social interaction.

Using your free time to aid your health may include these elements and many more, such as going to concerts and spending time with family. Overall, the key is to spend less free time being passive. The best ways to use free time are to be mentally and physically active, spend some time outdoors, and interact with other people on a regular basis.

1.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Watching television may cause women to feel depressed.

B. Finding interests and hobbies in common means taking a class.

C. Going to concerts is the best way to make you mentally active.

D. Getting an advanced degree in education always lights up your life.

2.What does the underlined word “commute” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. The arrangement to work every day.

B. The journey to work every day.

C. The communication between people.

D. The separation between people.

3.Which would be the best title for the passage?

A. Live a Happy and Healthy Life.

B. Relax Yourself in Various Ways.

C. Spend Your Free Time Wisely.

D. Interact With Others Outdoors.

Talking to Teachers—Teachers are just people．Behind that desk, is a living, breathing human being．And just like any human being, they will probably be friendly to people who talk nicely to them．Teachers also seem to get along better with children who take schoolwork seriously and are prepared for class．And, just like any other human being, teachers like to be appreciated．The next time your teacher helps you solve a math problem or figure out a science project, say thank you with a smile.

Talking to Parents—Parents can be very supportive if their children ask for help．If you think there’s something your parents can do to help you socialize more or feel more comfortable around people, then ask them．Very often, parents want very much to help, but really don’t know what to do．Pick a quiet time of the day and ask to talk．Tell them how you feel．Maybe they had the same trouble when they were kids.

Talking to Stranger —This is always a tough one．How do you deal with a neighbor, the mail carrier, or someone walking down your street—situations that often seem to cause arguments between kids and parents．The answer to these questions will vary(變化) from kid to kid, from parent to parent because all cultures are different．Some folks live in small towns where a hello to everyone is “what’s done”．Then there are kids who live in the city who may have been taught not to speak to anyone they don’t know．If you’re having trouble with this and always feel awkward in these kinds of situations, you might want to talk to your parents or a teacher about it．Where do they think you should draw the line(線)? When is silence rude and when is it wise?

1.From the first paragraph we may learn that teachers dislike____ .

A．being talked to nicely????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ?????????????

B．their students to be serious with the schoolwork

C．the students’ appreciation

D．the students who are not ready for classes

2.If your parents are not supportive and you are not getting along quite well with your parents, who or what is to blame（該受責備）?

A．Your parents.????????????? ????????????? B Yourself.????????????? ????????????? ?????????????

C．Lack of communication. ????????????? D .Your teachers.

3.The underlined word in the third paragraph is close in meaning to____.

A．fond ????????????? B．puzzled（困惑的）????????????? C. frightened? D．willing

4.The passage doesn’t say but it implies that in daily communication____.

A．arguments often happen between kids and parents

B．we should talk to the neighbors and other people according to different cultures

C．city people and country people greet in the same way

D．we should fit(使…符合) our words with proper situations

In order to know a foreign language thoroughly(完全地), four things are necessary. First, we must understand the language when we hear it spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it ourselves, correctly with confidence(自信) and without hesitation(猶豫). Thirdly, we must be able to write it. Finally, we must be able to make sentences that are correct in grammar.

There is no short way to succeed in language learning. A good memory(記憶) is a great help, but it is not enough only to memorize the rules from a grammar book. It is no much use learning by heart long lists(一覽表) of words and their meanings, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we are pleased with a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. We must "Learn through use". Practice is important. We must practice speaking and writing the language whenever(無論何時) we can.

1.The most important things to learn a foreign language are________.

A. understanding and speaking

B. hearing, speaking, reading and writing

C. writing and understanding

D. memorizing and listening

2.Someone hears and writes English very well, but he speaks it very badly. This is because ______.

A. he doesn't understand the language when he hears it spoken

B. he doesn't have a good memory

C. he always remember lists of words and their meanings

D. he often hesitates to practise speaking it

3.One can never learn a foreign language well only by________.

A. much practice ????????????? ????????????? B. studying the dictionary

C. learning through use????????????? D. using the language

4.Which of the following is the most important in learning a foreign language?

A. A good memory.????????????? B. Speaking.????????????? C. Practice.????????????? D. Writing.

5."Learn through use" means________.

A. we use a language in order to learn it

B. we learn a foreign language in order to use it

C. we can learn a language well while we are using it

D. both B and C

Einstein，the famous scientist，was born ____________ March，1879.

A. at????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. on????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. in????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. to

Money is important ____________ it’s not the most important thing.

A. and????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. but????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. or????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. so

My sister has two skirts. One is yellow，and____________ is black.

A. other????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. another????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. others????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. the other

Lee came to Beijing in 2005.He has been here ____________ than you.

A. long????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. longer????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. longest????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. the longest

There ____________ many students in the library after school every day.

A. has????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. have????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. is????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. are

Tian’anmen Square is one of ____________ squares in the world.

A. large????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B. larger????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? C. largest????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. the largest