(I)

　　How do successful people think? What drives them? Interviews and investigations indicate that there are several keys to success that successful people share.

　　First of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to go ahead. They realize that their future lies in their own hands. They understand that they cannot control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. But in the meantime, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life and regard this as one of the most empowering (给人以权力的) things they can do. Perhaps what most separates successful people from others is that they live life “on purpose” —they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to become fully functioning people. They hold that when they live their life on purpose, their main concern is to do the job right. They love what they do. People want to do business with them because of their commitment (投入,献身). To live their life on purpose, successful people find a caue they believe in and create a business around it. Besides, they never easily give up. Once they have set up goals in their life, they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Top achievers always bear in mind what they don’t have.

　　Rather than seeing it negative or depressing, they use the knowledge to spur themselves on and go after what they want energetically and passionately.

　　1. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

　　A. How Do People Live Their Life on Purpose?

　　B. How Can People Be Successful?

　　C. How Do People Make Plans?

　　D. How Do People Do Business?

　　2. By living their life “on purpose” successful people can ________.

　　A. do a lot of work B. concentrate on their jobs

　　C. do business with many people D. do all of the above-mentioned

　　(II)

　　The English, as a race, are very different from all other nationalities, including their closest neighbors, the French, Belgians, and Dutch. It is claimed that living on an island separated from the rest of Europe has much to do with it. Whatever the reasons are, it may be fairly stated that the Englishman has developed many attitudes and habits which distinguish him from other nationalities.

　　Broadly speaking, the Englishman is a quiet, shy, reserved person who is fully relaxed only among people he knows well. In the presence of strangers or foreigners he often seems embarrassed. You can only see a city train any morning or evening to see the truth of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or having a light sleep in a corner, no one speaks. In fact, to do so would seem most unusual. An Englishman, pretending to be giving advice to overseas visitors, once suggested:“On entering a railway carriage shake hands with all the passengers.” Needless to say, he was not being serious. There is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behavior which, if broken, makes the person immediately suspect.

　　In many parts of the world it is quite normal to show openly extremes of enthusiasm, emotion, excitement, etc. The Englishman is somewhat different. Of course, an Englishman feels no less deeply than any other nationality, but he tends to display his feelings far less. This is reflected in his use of language. Imagine a man commenting on the great beauty of a young girl. Whereas a more emotional man might describe her as “an excellent jewel”,“extremely beautiful”,“precious”, the Englishman will flatly state “Um, she is all right.”

　　3. From the passage people can infer that the English are different from other nationalities mainly in ________.

　　A. manners B. character C. the principle of behavior D. all aspects

　　4. If one doesn’t want to be suspected in public, he had better ________.

　　A. behave relaxed B. shake hands with all the people he meets

　　C. talk with others D. keep quiet

　　[答案与解析]

　　1. B。本文介绍的是名人成功的要素。2. D。 第二段即本题答案出处。3. B。本文主要介绍英国人沉默寡言、害羞保守、安分孤僻的性格特点。4. D。第二段即本题答案出处。

　　(文/郝昌明 英语辅导报高三年级版2004-2005学年第24期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)