In my second-to-last semester of college. my favorite professor announced that he would be teaching a study abroad course over the winter break in Cambodia. The more he talked about the opportunity. the more interested I became. I left class thinking I might actually do it.
My immediate excitement gave in to excuses as the weeks passed. The trip would be expensive, I would have less time to spend with my family over the break, and I hadn't really traveled before. Most of all, I was terrified of taking the risk.
On the day when I made my decision, I suddenly felt as if I had finally opened my eyes and seen myself clearly. Why was I so scared to take this chance? I had moved away from home, had almost graduated from college, and had overcome plenty of small-scale fears. How could I let fear get in the way of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Besides, I had always dreamed of traveling around the world and studying abroad was a major point on my list.
So took the challenge. I was scared but excited on the plane, and my fears faded as soon as the wheels touched the runway. I soon found myself attracted by ancient mountaintop temples. I spent my days teaching poor orphans(孤儿) simple English, learned little Khmer myself, and became an expert at avoiding terrible traffic and bargaining with Cambodian store owners.
By the end of my stay, I had fallen in love with travel, exploration and life of daily wonders.
My experience in Cambodia was incredible and life-changing. I came back and became a different person, but a better one: a better friend, sister, daughter, girlfriend and student. I came back and became a grown woman instead of a young girl.
After Cambodia, my life clicked into place. Before the trip, I hadn't known what I wanted to do after graduation. Now am planning on teaching English abroad as a volunteer. I am still amazed by my experience and thankful for everything it taught me. I now have a passion for overcoming fears, big or small, and have new faith in myself.
97.The author's excitement to go to Cambodia faded mainly because .
A.she could not afford the expensive trip
B.she had no experience of traveling abroad
C.she was scared of the risk she would be taking
D.she preferred spending time with her family to traveling
98.What was it that made the author decide to go to Cambodia in the end?
A.She had a heart-to-heart talk with her family.
B.She thought about what might have made her scared.
C.She went through every item she had put on her list.
D.She remembered the challenges and fears she had overcome before.
99.What did the author do in Cambodia?
A.She had a pleasant tour to many places.
B.She helped the locals operate stores
C.She helped local children by teaching English.
D.She looked into the causes of traffic problems.
100.What did the author think of her stay in Cambodia?
A.It was relaxing and inspiring.
B.It made her a successful woman.
C.It improved her communication skills.
D.It led her to plan to do voluntary work.
97.C
98.D
99.C
100.D
【分析】
本文是记叙文,讲述了作者克服困难,到柬埔寨参加志愿者工作的故事。
97.考查细节理解。根据第二段中的"The trip would be expensive, I would have less time to spend with my family over the break, and I hadn't really traveled before. Most of all, I was terrified of taking the risk”可知,作者热情消退的主要原因是害怕冒险,不敢去迎接挑战。故C项正确。
98.考查细节理解。根据第三段的第三句和第四句可知,过去战胜困难的经历鼓励着作者继续前进战胜这些未知的困难。故D项正确。
99.考查细节理解。根据第四段第四句中的”I spent my days teaching poor orphans(孤儿) simple English”可知,作者在柬埔寨教孤儿简单的英语,通过这种方法帮助他们。故C项正确。
100.考查细节理解。根据最后一段第二句和第三句可知,在这次旅行以后作者计划继续到国外以志愿者的身份教英语。故选D。
请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意:每个空格只填1个单词。
Feeling extreme loneliness can increase an older person’s risk of premature (过早的)death by 14 percent, according to research by John Cacioppo, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.
Cacioppo and his colleagues’ work shows that the impact of loneliness on premature death is nearly as strong as the impact of disadvantaged socioeconomic status, which they found increases the chances of dying early by 19 percent. A 2010 meta﹣analysis showed that loneliness has twice as much impact on early death as obesity does, he said.
The researchers looked at dramatic differences in the rate of decline in physical and mental health as people aged. Cacioppo and his colleagues have examined the role of satisfying relationships on older people to develop their resilience ([rɪˈzɪliəns] 快速恢复的能力;适应力), the ability to feel better quickly after something unpleasant, and grow from stresses in life.
The consequences for health are dramatic, as feeling isolated or separated from others can disturb sleep, elevate blood pressure, increase morning rises in the stress hormone cortisol ([‘kɔ:tɪsɒl] 皮质醇), change the gene expression in immune cells, increase depression and lower overall subjective well﹣being, Cacioppo pointed out in a talk, “ Rewarding Social Connections Promote Successful Aging.”
Cacioppo, one of the nation’s leading experts on loneliness, said older people can avoid the consequences of loneliness by staying in touch with former co﹣workers, taking part in family traditions, and sharing good times with family and friends ﹣ all of which give older adults a chance to connect with others about whom they care and who care about them.
”Retiring to Florida to live in a warmer climate among strangers isn’t necessarily a good idea if it means you are disconnected from the people who mean much to you,” said Cacioppo. Population changes make understanding the role of loneliness and health all the more important,he explained. “People have to think about how to protect themselves from depression, low subjective well﹣being and early death. “
Although some people are happy to be alone, most people develop from social situations in which they provide mutual support and establish a strong bond. Evolution encourages people to work together to survive and accordingly most people enjoy companionship compared to be alone.
It is not solitude (独处)or physical isolation itself, but rather the subjective sense of isolation that Cacioppo’s work shows to be so destructive. Older people living alone are not necessarily lonely if they remain actively engaged in social life and enjoy the company of those around them. Some aspects of aging, such as blindness and loss of hearing, however, place people at special risk of becoming isolated and lonely, he said.
Passage outline | Supporting details |
The main idea | Chances are that older people will die early if they feel extremely 51.. |
52. with loneliness | • Like disadvantaged socioeconomic status and obesity, loneliness can 53. old men’s premature death. • When 54. from others, one will find physical health impacted and tend to feel depressive and unhappy. |
Suggestions | • Keep in touch with others and take part in 55. activities. • Choosing to live in a pleasant climate don’t necessarily make sense if the elder are disconnected from people who are 56. to them. • Think about how to57. depression, low subjective well﹣being and early death. • Work together with others to 58., to gain mutual support and establish a strong bond. |
Conclusions | • The sense of isolation, rather than solitude or physical isolation itself, isn’t 59.to elders. • Living alone doesn’t mean loneliness if older people live an 60. social life. |