初中英语拓展阅读(1)
A
Personalities of some Chinese Birth Signs
The Rat (SHU)
People born under the year of the Rat are generous and easygoing to those that they love and care for. They generally have happy and lively personalities and are very outgoing, although they lose their temper sometimes. On the whole they are successful in what they choose to do, full of imagination and have very good memories. The Rat is a lover of money and a hater of waste and idleness.
The Rabbit (TU)
People born under the year of the Rabbit don’t often get into trouble and seldom make enemies. They are considerate, kind and thoughtful towards others. The Rabbit is the symbol of a long life. They are said to draw their life energy from the moon. They like an easy and good time and give good advice, although they shy away from promises.
The Dog (GOU)
People born under the year of the Dog seem to be liked very well as it is one of the most popular animals. Dog people are truthful and clever, with a strong sense of fairness. They never avoid their duties. They always do their fair share of things and will always “listen to reason”. They are helpful, open-minded, never envious, and have great insight into human nature. They are also brave and practical. However, if you try to look into their affairs, they can become secretive and also give a cold shoulder to those who they don’t really like.
Choose the best answer for each question.
( )1. People born under the year of the Rat _______.
A. love money better than anything else
B. are hard-working
C. are good at choosing things
D. think much but do little
( )2. People born under the year of the Rabbit _______.
A. don’t like to tell others what they think
B. enjoy living a busy life
C. often get on well with others
D. don’t believe others’ promises
( )3. People born under the year of the Dog _______.
A. like to do something secretly
B. are unhappy when others have done something better
C. often make excuses for their mistakes
D. are good at seeing straight through others
( )4. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. Rat people can keep few things in mind.
B. Rabbit people prefer the moon to the sun.
C. Dog people like to look into others’ affairs.
D. Dog people are willing to help others.
( )5. What kind of people will not show their dissatisfaction to others?
A. Rat people.
B. Rabbit people.
C. Dog people.
D. All the above.
Help: personality n. 个性generous adj. 慷慨的
lose one’s temper 发脾气idleness n. 懒惰;闲散
considerate adj. 考虑周到的shy away from 躲避;羞于
listen to reason v. 服理envious adj. 嫉妒的
insight n. 洞察力dissatisfaction n. 不满
B
If you’re having difficulties in class and it seems that your teacher is unfair to you, take some time to think hard about what’s happening. Try to find out whether your teacher really dislikes you, or whether something else is going on. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Are you the only person being treated badly, or is your teacher rough on the whole class? Ask your classmates if they are having trouble with the teacher, too. If they say yes, perhaps your teacher is having problems outside the school, or is new and at a loss.
2. Are you working up to your ability? Maybe you got a C in your last test, and your teacher told you that you could do better. But the kid sitting beside you got a C, too, and the teacher didn’t say anything to him! Isn’t this unfair? Well, it could be that your teacher knows that you could get a better grade if you put more effort into it. Teachers often grade students by different standards. It’s their way of encouraging a student to try a little harder.
3. Are you more sensitive than other students? There’s nothing wrong with being sensitive, but if you react to criticism quite differently from others, this could be a reason why you think your teacher doesn’t like you.
4. Does your teacher seem to act unfairly all the time, or just once in a while? Think about the harsh things your teacher has done or said to you. Are these things happening every day, or just once or twice a month? If your teacher really hates you, you would probably be picked on all the time. If your teacher has acted unfairly only a few times, then there’s probably something else going on.
If y ou take the time to ask yourself these questions, you’ll get a better sense of what’s happening between you and your teacher.
Choose the best answer for each question.
( )6. If you feel your teacher is unfair to you, you should _______.
A. work harder at your lessons
B. care nothing for it
C. ask your classmates for help
D. make it clear if this is true
( )7. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. Teachers are often rough on the students who get a C grade.
B. If a teacher hates you, he will criticize you once or twice a month.
C. A new teacher is often rough on the whole class.
