Over the last 70 years．researchers have been studying happy and Unhappy people and finally found out ten factors that make a difference．Our feelings of well-being at any moment are determined to a certain degree by genes．However of all the factors，wealth and age are the top two．
Money can buy a degree of happiness．But once you can afford to feed，clothe and house yourself, each extra dollar makes less and less difference．
Researchers find that，on average，wealthier people are happier．But the link between money and happiness is complex．In the past half-century, average income has sharply increased in developed countries，yet happiness levels have remained almost the same．Once your basic needs are met，money only seems to increase happiness if you have more than your friends，neighbors and colleagues．
“Dollars buy Status(社會地位)，and status makes people feel better,” conclude some experts，which helps explain why people who can seek status in other ways-scientists or actors，for example-may happily accept relatively poorly-paid jobs．
In a research，Professor Alex Michalos found that the people whose desires-not just for money，but for friends，family, job，health-rose furthest beyond what they already had，tended to be less happy than those who felt a smaller gap(差距)．Indeed，the size of the gap predicted happiness about five times better than income alone．“The gap measures just blow away the only measures of income，”says Michalos．
Another factor that has to do with happiness is age．Old age may not be so bad．“Given all the problems of aging，how could the elderly be more satisfied?” asks Professor Laura Carstensen．
Why are old people happier? Some scientists suggest older people may expect life to be harder and learn to live with it，or they're more realistic about their goals，only setting ones that they know they can achieve．But Carstensen thinks that with time running out，older people have learned to focus on things that make them happy and let go of those that don't．
“People realize not only what they have，but also that what they have cannot-last forever,” she says．“A goodbye kiss to a husband or wife at the age of 85，for example，may bring far more complex emotional responses than a similar kiss to a boy or girl friend at the age of 20.”
小題1:According to the passage，the feeling of happiness _________.   
A．has little to do with wealthB．increases gradually with age
C．is measured by desiresD．is determined partly by genes
小題2:Some actors would like to accept poorly-paid jobs because the jobs _________.
A．make them feel much betterB．provide chances to make friends
C．improve their social positionD．satisfy their professional interests
小題3:Aged people are more likely to feel happy because they are more _________.   
A．optimisticB．practicalC．successfulD．emotional
小題4:Professor Alex Michalos found that people feel less happy if __________.
A．the gap between reality and desire is bigger
B．they have a stronger desire for friendship
C．their income is below their expectation
D．the hope for good health is greater

小題1:D
小題1:C
小題1:B
小題1:A
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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

It was a cold winter. The day my husband fell to his death, it started to snow, just  31 any November day. His   32 , when I found it, was lightly covered with snow. It snowed almost every day for the next four months, while I sat on the couch and watched it   33 . One morning, I walked slowly   34  and was surprised to see a snow remover clearing my driveway and the bent back of a woman clearing my walk. I dropped to my knees and crawled back upstairs,  35 those good people would not see me. I was   36 . My first thought was, how would I ever  37 them? I didn’t have the  38 to brush my hair,   39 clear someone’s walk.
Before Jon’s death, I felt proud that I   40 asked for favors. I identified myself by my competence and  41 . So who was I if I was no longer capable? How could I   42 myself if I just sat on the couch every day and watched the snow fall?
Learning to receive the love and   43 from others wasn’t easy. Friends cooked for me and I cried. Finally, my friend Kathy said, “Mary, cooking for you isn’t a   44 for me; it makes me feel good to be able to do something for you.”
Over and over, I heard   45 words from the people who supported me during those  46 days. One wise man told me, “You aren’t doing nothing because being fully open to your  47 may be the hardest work you will ever do.”
I am not the person I   48 was, but in many ways I have changed for the   49 . I’ve been surprised to learn that there is incredible freedom coming form  50 one’s worst fear and walking away whole. I believe there is strength, for sure, in accepting a dark period of our life.
小題1:
A．onB．inC．like D．for
小題2:
A．bodyB．soul C．shoe D．footprint
小題3:
A．sweep upB．drop off C．fall downD．pile up
小題4:
A．upstairsB．downstairsC．indoorsD．outdoors
小題5:
A．soB．yetC．a(chǎn)ndD．for
小題6:
A．delightedB．disappointedC．a(chǎn)nnoyedD．a(chǎn)shamed
小題7:
A．pay B．a(chǎn)wardC．rewardD．treat
小題8:
A．courage B．strength C．spiritD．power
小題9:
A．stand aloneB．leave aloneC．sit aloneD．let alone
小題10:
A．frequentlyB．graduallyC．hardlyD．uncertainly
小題11:
A．intelligenceB．independenceC．excellenceD．qualification
小題12:
A．a(chǎn)chieve B．praiseC．respectD．promote
小題13:
A．supplyB．supportC．contributionD．similar
小題14:
A．burdenB．jobC．businessD．sorrow
小題15:
A．sensitiveB．same C．considerateD．similar
小題16:
A．blueB．rainyC．brightD．snowy
小題17:
A．despair B．difficultyC．painD．regret
小題18:
A．stillB．once C．evenD．never
小題19:
A．worseB．less C．moreD．better
小題20:
A．facingB．noticing C．managingD．expressing

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

A Love Note to My Mom
When I was a little girl，I would often accompany you as you modeled for fashion photographers. It was years later that I finally understood what role modeling__21__  in your life. Little did I know you were_22__  every penny you earned to go to__23__ school.
I cannot thank you enough for__24__ you told me one autumn afternoon when I was nine. After finishing my homework, I wandered into the dining room where you were buried__25__ piles of law books. I was  __26__.Why were you doing what I do—memorizing textbooks and studying for__27__？ When you said you were in law school, I was more puzzled. I didn’ t know Moms__28__be lawyers too. You smiled and said，“In life, you can do anything you want to do.”
As young as I was，that statement kept___29__ in my ears. I watched as you faced the___30_of completing your studies, starting companies with Dad, while still being a_31__ and a Mom of five kids. I was exhausted  just watching you__32__.With your words of wisdom in my__33__mind, I suddenly felt unlimited freedom to dream. My whole world__34__.I set out to live my life filled with__35__，seeing endless possibilities for personal and professional achievements.
Your words became my motto. I__36__found myself in the unique position of being either the first (woman doctor in Maryland Rotary) __37__one of the few women (chief medical reporters) in my field. I gained strength every time I said, “Yes, I’ ll try that.”
Encouraged by your__38___， I have forged ahead (毅然前行) with my life’ s journey, less afraid to make mistakes, and__39__meeting each challenge. You did it, and now I’ m__40__ it. Sorry, got to run. So much to do, so many dreams to live.
小題1:
A．foundB．playedC．keptD．provided
小題2:
A．savingB．makingC．donatingD．receiving
小題3:
A．businessB．fashion　C．lawD．medical
小題4:
A．whatB．that C．whichD．where
小題5:
A．a(chǎn)tB．toC．uponD．under
小題6:
A．a(chǎn)musedB．worriedC．puzzledD．disappointed
小題7:
A．rolesB．testsC．positionsD．shows
小題8:
A．mustB．ought toC．needD．could
小題9:
A．ringingB．blowingC．fallingD．beating
小題10:
A．choicesB．chancesC．challengesD．changes
小題11:
A．professorB．doctorC．reporterD．model
小題12:
A．in dangerB．in action C．in troubleD．in charge
小題13:
A．weakB．powerful C．youthfulD．empty
小題14:
A．came backB．closed downC．went byD．opened up
小題15:
A．hopeB．hardship C．harmonyD．sadness
小題16:
A．constantlyB．shortlyC．hardlyD．nearly
小題17:
A．a(chǎn)ndB．butC．orD．for
小題18:
A．descriptionB．statementC．praiseD．introduction
小題19:
A．secretlyB．curiouslyC．carelesslyD．eagerly
小題20:
A．doingB．consideringC．correctingD．reading

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

I moved to this area seven years ago. For years I have had noisy neighbours. Ever since I moved into this flat, I’ve had to put up with noise during the night. I decided I’d had enough and I’ve been looking for a new flat since the beginning of the year. I haven’t found anything till now. Every week I go to the estate agent’s（當?shù)胤康禺a(chǎn)代理人的）office, but it’s the same story. “I might have something by the end of the week” he says, or, “Wait till next week. I think I might have a few flats by then.” I’ve seen a few flats during my search, but I don’t like any of them. One flat I saw has been empty for two years. “It’s got a busy road on one side and a railway on the other!” I said loudly, “I want peace and quiet.” Last week I visited the agent again. “I won’t leave till you show me something,” I said. “I’ve got just the flat for you.” I went to see it and I was frightened. “But it’s next to a cemetery!” I cried. “But you won’t have noisy neighbours,” my agent said. “It’s exactly right for peace and quiet!”
小題1:The writer has had to bear the noise in this area for             years.
A．a(chǎn)bout sevenB．sixC．nineD．four
小題2:The writer decided to move away because            .
A．he had been looking for a new flatB．his neighbours were not friendly
C．he could no longer stand the noiseD．he wanted to sell his old flat
小題3:Which of the following is NOT true?
A．The writer would like a quiet place to live in.
B．The agent didn’t want to help the writer at all.
C．The writer has seen several flats already.
D．It seemed rather difficult to rind a fight flat.
小題4:The main idea of the passage is         .
A．how the agent tried to help the writer find a flat
B．why the writer was satisfied with the agent’s service
C．how difficult it was to find a new flat
D．you can depend on the estate agents for a nice flat

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

Kevin is a boy who might be described as “slow”. He didn’t learn his ABCs as fast as other kids. But Kevin was__1__with people, for his bright smile and big heart won him plenty of friends.
My friend Randy decided they needed a__2__team for boys.Kevin__3__up and practiced hard. But he simply shot baskets. Or more correctly, he threw the ball at the basket. He had a __4__spot near the free throw line(罰球線). He threw and threw, and it __5__went in.
The team did well but they never won a game that season except the night when it snowed and the opposing team never__6__. At the end of the__7__lot(簽)of playing against the best team.
Game day arrived. The game went as__8__.Near the end of the last quarter, Kevin’s team stood nearly 30 points behind. It was then that one of the boys called timeout. ”Coach Randy, ” he said, ”this is our__9__game and Kevin has never made a basket. I think we should let him make a basket.”
The team agreed. Kevin wan __10__to stand at his special place near the free throw line and wait. When the ball was__11__to him, he shot and missed. A moment later, Kevin got the ball again, but shot and missed again.
Slowly the other team seemed to__12__what was going on. Both teams circled the boy by their time and all the other players were shouting, “Kevin! Kevin!” Soon everyone in the __13__　joined in.
Kevin attempted again and again, and one of his shots took a crazy bounce on the basket. Everyone held their__14__.The ball dropped in. Nobody remained __15__. Everyone stood and cheered as if one boy had won a world champion.
That day, an undefeated team kept their perfect record. But everybody won because everybody had participated in a crazy conspiracy(密謀)  of kindness.
小題1:
A．patientB．familiarC．popularD．careful
小題2: 
A．basketball　B．footballC．swimmingD．climbing
小題3: 
A．gotB．signedC．wentD．set
小題4:
A．strangeB．specialC．wrongD．safe
小題5:
A．randomlyB．a(chǎn)utomaticallyC．possiblyD．occasionally
小題6:
A．showed upB．took upC．started offD．gave in
小題7:
A．favoriteB．difficultC．unfortunateD．important
小題8:
A．reportedB．designedC．a(chǎn)rrangedD．expected
小題9:
A．firstB．lastC．excellentD．poor
小題10:
A．forbiddenB．wishedC．trainedD．instructed
小題11:
A．passedB．kickedC．carriedD．shot
小題12:
A．give upB．bring aboutC．figure outD．believe in
小題13:
A．schoolB．gymC．townD．team
小題14:
A．handsB．breathC．placesD．ground
小題15:
A．seatedB．excitedC．a(chǎn)mazedD．puzzled

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

There was a terrible rainstorm unexpectedly. The rain caused the streets 36 and the subway system almost came to a stop.
Unfortunately, this happened during the morning rush hour. Many people who were going to work were 37 to go home. Some struggled to __38  a taxi or to get on a bus. Still others faced the ___39_ bravely, walking miles to get to work.
I  40 to be one of people on the way to work that morning. I went from subway line to subway line only to find that most _41_had stopped. After making my way __42__ crowds of people. I finally found a subway line that was __43_. Unfortunately, there were so many people waiting to __44 the subway that I could not even get down the stairs to the  45 .So I took the train going in the opposite direction, and then switched back to the downtown train. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the train __46 my stop. Then I had to walk several blocks in the increasingly heavy rain. When I got to my office, I was _47_ through, exhausted and 48.
My co-workers and I spend most of the day drying off. When it was 5:00 pm, I was ready to go home. I was about to turn off my computer __49_I received an email from Garth, my Director:
I would like to thank all of you who made the effort and 50 reported to work. It is always relaxing, at times like these, when employees so clearly show their 51 to their jobs. Thank you.
Garth’s email was short, but I learned more from that  52  message than I ever did from a textbook. The email taught me that a few words of __53 can make a big difference. The rainstorm and the traffic __54_ had made me tired and upset. But Garth’s words immediately __55__ me and put a smile back on my face.
小題1:
A．breakB．floodC．sinkD．crash
小題2:
A．forcedB．refusedC．a(chǎn)djustedD．gathered
小題3:
A．orderB．payC．callD．search
小題4:
A．climateB．sceneryC．stormD．burden
小題5:
A．usedB．promisedC．deservedD．happened
小題6:
A．practiceB．routineC．processD．service
小題7:
A．toB．throughC．overD．for
小題8:
A．operatingB．cyclingC．turningD．rushing
小題9:
A．checkB．carryC．findD．board
小題10:
A．streetB．groundC．floorD．platform
小題11:
A．pausedB．crossedC．reachedD．parked
小題12:
A．wetB．weakC．sickD．hurt
小題13:
A．a(chǎn)shamedB．discouragedC．surprisedD．puzzled
小題14: A, while                      B. when         C.where   D.after
小題15:
A．hardlyB．casuallyC．a(chǎn)bsolutelyD．eventually
小題16:
A．devotionB．donationC．connectionD．reaction
小題17:
A．a(chǎn)ccurateB．urgentC．briefD．humorous
小題18:
A．promiseB．a(chǎn)ppreciationC．a(chǎn)dviceD．guidance
小題19:
A．troublesB．signalsC．rulesD．signs
小題20:
A．correctedB．supportedC．a(chǎn)mazedD．refreshed

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

The annual marathon in my town usually took place in summer. My job was to   21   behind the runners in an ambulance   22    any of them needed medical attention. The driver and I were in an air-conditioned ambulance behind nearly one hundred athletes    23   to hear the sharp crack of the starting gun.
“We’re supposed to stay behind the   24   runner, so take it slowly ,” I said to the driver , Doug , as we began to creep forward .
“Let’s just hope all the runners are fast!” he laughed.
As they began to pace themselves, the front runners started to   25   . It was then that my   26  were drawn to the woman in blue silk running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.
“Doug, look!”
We knew we were already watching our “l(fā)ast runner”. Her feet were turned in, but her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to be able to walk , let alone run a marathon .
Doug and I watched in   27   as she slowly moved forward. We didn’t say a thing. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’d slowly move forward a little bit more.
Finally, she was the  28   runner left in sight. Tears streamed down my face as I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with amazement and even respect as she    29       forward with strong determination through the last miles.
When the    30   line came into sight, rubbishes lay everywhere and the cheering crowds had already gone home.    31  , a man waited proudly there. He was   32  one end of a ribbon (帶子) tied to a post.   33  slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering behind her.
I do not know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life –a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about   34   the other runners or winning a competition, it was about finishing what she had set out to do, no matter    35  . When I think things are too difficult or too time-consuming, I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.
小題1:
A．interview B．watch C．follow D．fall
小題2:
A．when B．sinceC．because D．in case
小題3:
A．searching B．sitting C．wishing D．waiting
小題4:
A．slow B．last C．wounded D．helpless
小題5:
A．runB．missC．disappearD．lose
小題6: 
A．a(chǎn)ttentionB．mindC．eyesD．sight
小題7: 
A．happinessB．silenceC．disappointmentD．hope
小題8: 
A．singleB．onlyC．lastD．careful
小題9: 
A．pushedB．foughtC．pulledD．jumped
小題10:
A．closeB．endC．matchD．finish
小題11:
A．Yet B．But C．Thus D．Therefore
小題12:
A．catchingB．handing C．holdingD．bringing
小題13:
A．He B．SheC．I D．They
小題14:
A．winning B．competing C．beating D．fighting
小題15:
A．what B．where C．whenD．why

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Mark was walking home from school one day when he saw the boy in front of him fall over and drop all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a basketball and a walkman（隨身聽）. Mark stopped and helped the boy pick up these things. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry some of his things. As they walked, Mark knew that the boy’s name was Bill, that he loved computer games, basketball and history, and that he was having lots of troubles with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend.
They arrived at Bill’s home first and Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed happily with a few laughs and some small talk, and then Mark went home. They often saw each other at school, had lunch together once or twice, and then they both finished middle school. They ended up in the same high school where they sometimes saw and talked with each other over the years. At last just three weeks before they finished high school, Bill asked Mark if they could talk.
Bill asked Mark if he still remembered the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever think why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I cleaned out my locker(鎖柜) because I didn’t want to leave anything for anyone else. I had put away some of my mother’s sleeping pills and I was going home to kill myself. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I began to understand that if I killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more. You saved my life.”
小題1:When Mark met him the first time, Bill was going _______.
A．to have a basketball gameB．to his classroom
C．to see MarkD．back home
小題2: From what Bill was carrying, we can know that he _______.
A．was a good studentB．liked sports and music
C．liked all the subjects in schoolD．was a good friend
小題3:Mark and Bill _______.
A．were in the same middle school and high school
B．were in the same middle school but not in the same high school
C．often had lunch together at school
D．had known each other before they began to study in middle school
小題4:In this passage, the phrase “break up” means _______.
A．相處很好 B．和好如初C．關(guān)系破裂D．保持聯(lián)系
小題5:When Mark helped Bill to pick up some of his things, he _______.
A．knew he could save Bill’s life
B．knew who Bill was and wanted to help him
C．didn’t know why he was going to help him
D．didn’t know what he was doing was very important to Bill

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The other day I heard a few local musicians talking:
"I hate all the pianos in this town and I hate that rubbish they play on the radio. They cannot even understand rhythm (韻律)."
"Nobody wants to pay musicians anything. I’m sick of all the people who want you to play without paying you."
One younger musician said, "There are several clubs who want me to play for a few nights a month, and I’m trying to find other places to play. I’m also planning to join in several summer festivals this year."
I really liked what the younger musician said so I made friends with him.
Attitudes are important. Whether they’re positive (積極的) or negative (消極的), they’re all rubbing off on you. If you’re around people who are always complaining or blaming (責備) others, it is possible that you will start doing the same as well. If you spend lots of time with people who don’t support (支持) your dreams, it is time to take a look at the people you call "friends".
There is an easy exercise you can try. Make a list of the people who you often stay with, and simply stop spending time with the negative ones on your list. Set a new standard for yourself and don’t become friends with people who fall below that standard.
Of course, this exercise is entirely different from making friends only for the good of oneself. We really should try to help and spend time with those who are working towards a goal or dream.
小題1:The musicians’ conversation at the beginning is there to show that ______.
A．musicians’ living conditions are not good
B．people in that town have poor taste in music
C．young people are more likely to succeed
D．different people have different attitudes
小題2:The underlined part "they’re all rubbing off on you" in Paragraph 6 means ______.
A．they’ll push you ahead
B．they’ll help you realize your dreams
C．they’ll keep you from moving on
D．they’ll have an influence (影響) on you
小題3:By doing the exercise mentioned in Paragraph 7, you can ______.
A．improve your ability to make friends
B．make the right kind of friends
C．develop a better relationship with your friends
D．make some new friends with the same interests as you
小題4:We can get the following information from the passage EXCEPT ______.
A．the younger musician is a positive person and would be a good friend
B．one should avoid (避免) making friends with people who have lots of
difficulties
C．the exercise can help you keep close to really helpful friends
D．one will start complaining if one spends too much time with negative people

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