Nowadays，much of the profit of a business—sometimes the whole of its success—dep
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Nowadays，much of the profit of a business—sometimes the whole of its success—depends upon the use of the odds and ends.The odds and ends are various small things，which are left over when the main things are produced.But they possess a real value of their own.
If a business，big or small，looked down upon these odds and ends，it would mean a big difference in the amount of the benefit of the business.Take a meat factory for instance，there are countless odds and ends—bones and hair，which can be made into glue and rope to increase its profit greatly.
Then，if we are college students，what about our odds and ends—the odd moments？Take time for example.Every one of us has the exact same amount of it.Everyone’s success or failure depends on the use of their time.But everyone uses the time more or less in the same way.However，why many great men in science or art have made huge successes for themselves in the world？Because they have made best use of their odd moments.Thomas A．Edison，never allowed his odd moments to slip by.He thought，planned，and tried his inventions.He always worked twenty hours out of each twentyfour.His inventions made him famous all over the world，and provided valuable wealth for the human beings.
So，remember this axiom：busy people always find time for everything.However，people with great spare time find time for nothing.Is it very strange？Not at all！The question is how to gather up fragments of time and make full use of them.As many big businesses have found，the real profit is in using the odds and ends.We also must do in this way to make best use of our odd moments and manage to be successful in something we do.
小题1:What are odds and ends?| A．They are nothing useful. | | B．They are very small，but valuable things. | | C．They are the main things factories produce. | | D．They are odd moments students refuse to gather up. |
小题2:Why should the odds and ends be made full use of?| A．Because they often determine success or failure. | | B．Because they can only be found by successful people. | | C．Because they are various small things people don’t want. | | D．Because they are useless things left over. |
小题3:The underlined word axiom in the last paragraph means________.| A．a statement given by famous people | | B．a statement accepted as true | | C．a statement that can be argued | | D．a statement accepted in scientific field |
小题4:Which of the following statements is TRUE?| A．The profit of all companies depends on the odds and ends. | | B．In some way，big meat companies can ignore some small things，such as bones. | | C．College students only make full use of their spare time before exams. | | D．Many successful men are good at using the odds and ends. |
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答案
小题1:B
小题2:A
小题3:B
小题4:D |
解析
小题1: B
解析 推理判断题。通读全文可以推断出，odds and ends指的是“虽小，但却很有用的东西”。
小题2: A
解析 推理判断题。由文章中列举的事例，以及第一段和最后一段内容可以推知，零星的东西往往是事情成败的关键。
小题3: B
解析 词义猜测题。零散时间的利用合理与否关系到一个人是否能够成功，成功人士善于找时间并充分利用零散的时间，人越忙碌越会找时间、挤时间。因此结合语境可知，该词意为“不争的事实，被众人所接受的事实”。
小题4: D
解析 细节理解题。本题由文章中作者所举的爱迪生的事例可以得出。成功人士成功的秘诀往往在于擅于充分利用零星的东西和点滴时间。 |
举一反三
Plants may not have eyes and ears，but they can recognize their siblings (兄弟姐妹)，and researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered how.The ID system lies in the roots and the chemical signals they secrete (分泌)．
Canadian researchers published that sea rocket，a common seashore plant，can recognize its siblings.Susan Dudley observed that when siblings are grown next to each other in the soil，they “play nice” and don’t send out more roots to compete.However，the moment one of the plants is thrown in with strangers，it begins competing with them by rapidly growing more roots to take up the water and mineral nutrients in the soil.
After reading Dudley’s study，Bais decided to find the method behind the sibling recognition.Working in his laboratory，Bais and his doctoral student Meredith Biedrzycki set up a study with wild populations of Arabidopsis thaliana.In a series of experiments，young seedlings were exposed to liquid media containing the root secretions from siblings，from strangers，or only their own secretions.The length of the longest lateral (侧面的) root was measured.The exposure of plants to the root secretions of strangers induced (引诱) greater lateral root formation than exposure of plants to sibling secretions.Strangers planted next to each other are often shorter，because so much of their energy is directed at root growth.Because siblings aren’t competing against each other，their roots are often much shallower (浅的)．
Biedrzycki did the painstaking laboratory research，observing more than 3,000 plants involved in the study every day for seven continuous days and documenting the root patterns.“Arabidopsis roots are nearly translucent (半透明的) when they are young and were also twisted when I removed them from plates，”Biedrzycki notes.“This manuscript (手稿) is very important for my research since the focus of my thesis project is understanding the biochemical ways behind root secretions.”
The research also may have implications for the home gardener.“Often we’ll put plants in the ground next to each other and when they don’t do well，we blame the local garden center where we bought them or we attribute their failure to a germ，”Bais says.“But maybe there’s more to it than that.”
小题1:Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?| A．A Great Biology Researcher | | B．Plants Recognize Their Siblings | | C．Plants’ Roots and Secretions | | D．A Research on Plants |
小题2:What encouraged Bais to study the sibling recognition?| A．Sea rocket. | | B．Plants’ sensing system. | | C．Biedrzycki’s thesis project. | | D．Dudley’s study. |
小题3:What does the underlined word “painstaking” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?| A．Important. | B．Adventurous. | | C．Careful. | D．Hardworking. |
小题4:What can we infer from the last paragraph?| A．The local garden center should be blamed when plants can’t grow well. | | B．The local garden center often sells low quality seeds to customers. | | C．Plants in the home garden can’t grow well because of the germ and seeds. | | D．Competing against strangers，plants in the home garden can’t grow well. |
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Mom was right！If you say thank you，for even the smallest gift or slightest show of kindness，you’ll feel happy.
Gratitude(感谢)，says Robert A．Emmons，a professor of psychology at the University of California，is an important element of happiness.In his recent book，Thanks！，Emmons uses the first major study on gratitude to prove mom’s point.In acknowledging and developing this muchignored expression of thankfulness，he explains how people have benefited—even improved their health.
As one of the leading scholars of the positive psychology movement，he admits gratitude may be difficult to express.He advises you to begin by admitting that life is good and full of events and elements that make daily existence a wonder.Second，recognize that the source of life’s goodness is more than just you.That source may be your mom，a friend，partner，child，colleague at work or play，or any combination of these.
Gratitude is always otherdirected，notes Emmons.You can be pleased or angry with yourself and feel guilty about doing something wrong，but you can never be grateful to or for yourself.
Expressing gratitude shouldn’t be a reaction；it should be a state of mind.To feel grateful when life is a breeze and you have more than you need is easy.To feel grateful in time of crisis—anger，hatred and bitterness—is easier.Also，too many people are aware of life’s blessings only after these are lost.The voices expressing gratitude from his studies of individuals are many.
It’s crisis and chaos—danger，disease，disability and death—that bring many individuals to realize just how dependent they are on others.Yet it’s the way each of us begins life and ends it.It’s too bad that so many people waste those decades in between labouring under the illusion(幻觉) they are selfsufficient，says Emmons.
To enable and embrace gratitude，Emmons encourages the readers of Thanks! to keep a gratitude diary.He even provides easytofollow directions on how to practise and develop gratitude.
I’m not a reader or advocate of selfhelp books，but I am thankful for the reference I found in a newspaper article to the research Emmons was conducting on gratitude involving organ donors and recipients(接受者)．The chance discovery led me to this book.
Mom implied that kindness seems to find its way back to the giver because life really is all about giving，receiving and repaying.So I’ll pay attention to her professional advice and say：Thank you，professor Emmons.
小题1:What is the text mainly discussed?| A．There are many ways of being thankful. | | B．Gratitude is important to happiness. | | C．Mom is great for her being thankful. | | D．Being thankful will keep you fit. |
小题2:The author mentions Robert A．Emmons’book Thanks! in order to prove that ________.
A．Professor Emmons supports mom’s study on psychology
B．mom is as great a psychologist as Professor Emmons
C．Professor Emmons is a famous psychologist
D．mom is right about her viewpoint on gratitude
小题3:It will be easier for you to feel grateful when ______.| A．you live a comfortable life | | B．you receive gifts on your birthday | | C．you get help during your hard times | | D．you are congratulated on your success |
小题4:What is the opinion of Professor Emmons?| A．It is enough to thank others orally. | | B．Whether you are thankful is always up to you. | | C．Remember to be thankful anytime and anywhere. | | D．It is easier to be thankful for yourself than for others. |
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One day，while I was walking to work，I decided to bring some flowers that I had picked from my garden that morning.On the way，I ____ a stranger and presented the bunch to him with a smile card.____ by the sense of joy I felt from giving flowers to another person，and may be ____ his day，I wanted to do it again.
When I got to my office，I had the ____ of anonymously(匿名) leaving flowers around the workplace.The impersonal(无人情味的) ___ of the building where I work makes me ____.It just feels a little boring sometimes，____ it’s a nice building with great light.I __8__ lots of people might feel the same way，so why not put a little ___ there，and throw in an inspirational quote while I’m at it？____，who doesn’t like flowers?
So，for the past month，I’ve been ____ flowers in a little cup on the sink in the bathroom.Each week，I ____ the flowers and the quote.It always feels ____ for me to read quotes like Henry David Thoreau’s “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams，he will meet with a ____ unexpected in common hours.” and Gandhi’s “The fragrance(香味) always ____ on the hand that gives the rose.” If anything，I figured，it at least makes me ____ each time I visit the bathroom.
Then today，when I walked in，I noticed ____ flowers in the cup，and a quote that someone else had written！It ____，“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Gandhi.
This little act ____ me that，at the end of the day，we’re all just people with hearts ____ the various roles and different hats we may wear in the workplace.
I did a little dance and I am smiling wide for the rest of the day!
| 小题1: | | A．picked out | B．came across | | C．called up | D．pointed at |
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| 小题2: | | A．Struck | B．Informed | | C．Surprised | D．Honoured |
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| 小题3: | | A．calming | B．determining | | C．reflecting | D．brightening |
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| 小题5: | | A．design | B．atmosphere | | C．decoration | D．regulation |
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| 小题6: | | A．uncomfortable | B．impolite | | C．impatient | D．unconscious |
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| 小题7: | | A．when | B．unless | | C．because | D．though |
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| 小题8: | | A．concluded | B．considered | | C．doubted | D．expected |
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| 小题9: | | A．mystery | B．adventure | | C．beauty | D．courage |
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| 小题10: | | A．More or less | B．After all | | C．At most | D．In no case |
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| 小题11: | | A．growing | B．watering | | C．putting | D．arranging |
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| 小题12: | | A．count | B．check | C．clean | D．change |
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| 小题13: | | A．refreshing | B．interesting | | C．satisfying | D．puzzling |
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| 小题14: | | A．prize | B．truth | | C．success | D．miracle |
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| 小题15: | | A．holds | B．attaches | | C．remains | D．focuses |
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| 小题16: | | A．strong | B．happy | | C．excited | D．shocked |
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| 小题17: | | A．good | B．new | C．small | D．special |
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| 小题18: | | A．printed | B．asked | | C．replied | D．said |
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| 小题19: | | A．introduces | B．warns | | C．suggests | D．reminds |
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| 小题20: | | A．regardless of | B．in terms of | | C．in addition to | D．instead of |
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The concept of solitude(独处) in the digital world is almost nonexistent.In the world of digital technology，email，social networking and online video games，information is meant to be ___.Solitude can be hard to discover____it has been given up.In this respect，new technologies have___our culture.
The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n)____as we’ve known it.People have become so____in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted____they’d rather not be.Today we can talk，text，email，chat and blog(写博客)，not only from our____，but from our mobile phones as well.
Most developed nations have become ____on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it，and at this point not____it would make them an outsider.____，many jobs and careers require people to be____.From this point of view，technology has changed the culture of work.Being reachable might feel like a___to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.
I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who____wants it.Computers can be shut____and mobile phones can be turned off.The ability to be “connected” and “on” has many____，as well as disadvantages.Travelers have ended up____on mountains，and mobile phones have saved countless lives.They can also make people feel ____and forced to answer unwanted calls or____to unwanted texts.
Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society____across generations.Some find today’s technology a gift.Others consider it a curse.Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject，it’s hard to imagine what life would be like____daily advancements in technology.(2012·江苏)
| 小题1: | | A．updated | B．received | | C．shared | D．collected |
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| 小题2: | | A．though | B．until | | C．once | D．before |
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| 小题3: | | A．respected | B．shaped | | C．ignored | D．preserved |
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| 小题4: | | A．edge | B．stage | | C．end | D．balance |
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| 小题5: | | A．sensitive | B．intelligent | | C．considerate | D．reachable |
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| 小题6: | | A．even if | B．only if | | C．as if | D．if only |
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| 小题7: | | A．media | B．computers | | C．databases | D．monitors |
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| 小题8: | | A．bent | B．hard | | C．keen | D．dependent |
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| 小题9: | | A．finding | B．using | | C．protecting | D．changing |
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| 小题10: | | A．Also | B．Instead | | C．Otherwise | D．Somehow |
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| 小题11: | | A．connected | B．trained | | C．recommended | D．interested |
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| 小题12: | | A．pleasure | B．benefit | | C．burden | D．disappointment |
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| 小题13: | | A．slightly | B．hardly | | C．merely | D．really |
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| 小题15: | | A．aspects | B．weaknesses | | C．advantages | D．exceptions |
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| 小题16: | | A．hidden | B．lost | | C．relaxed | D．deserted |
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| 小题17: | | A．trapped | B．excited | | C．confused | D．amused |
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| 小题18: | | A．turn | B．submit | | C．object | D．reply |
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| 小题19: | | A．vary | B．arise | | C．spread | D．exist |
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| 小题20: | | A．beyond | B．within | | C．despite | D．without |
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A woman from Japan was telling a friend about her trip to the United States.The woman had visited major businesses and investment companies in New York City and Chicago.
“I studied English before I left home，”she said.“But I still was not sure that people were speaking English.”
Her problem is easy to understand.Americans in business are like people who are in business anywhere.They have a language of their own.Some of the words and expressions deal with the special areas of their work.Other expressions are borrowed from different kinds of work such as the theater and movie industry.
One such saying is “get your act together”．
When things go wrong in a business，an employer may get angry.He may shout，“Stop making mistakes.Get your act together.”
Or，if the employer is calmer，he may say，“Let us get our act together.”
Either way，the meaning is the same.Getting your act together is getting organized.In business，it usually means to develop a calm and orderly plan of action.
It is difficult to tell exactly where the saying began.But，it is probable that it was in the theater or movie industry.Perhaps one of the actors was nervous and made a lot of mistakes.The director may have said，“Calm down，now.Get your act together.”
Word expert James Rogers says the expression was common by the late 1970s.Mister Rogers says the Manchester Guardian newspaper used it in 1978.The newspaper said a reform policy required that the British government get its act together.
Now，this expression is heard often when officials of a company meet.One company even called its yearly report，“Getting Our Act Together.”
The Japanese visitor was confused by another expression used by American business people.It is cut to the chase.
She heard that expression when she attended an important meeting of one company.One official was giving a very long report.It was not very interesting.In fact，some people at the meeting were falling asleep.
Finally，the president of the company said，“Cut to the chase.”
Cut to the chase means to stop spending so much time on details or unimportant material.Hurry and get to the good part.
Naturally，this saying was started by people who make movies.Hollywood movie producers believe that most Americans want to see action movies.Many of their movies show scenes in which the actors chase each other in cars，or in airplanes or on foot.
Cut is the director’s word for stop.The director means to stop filming，leave out some material，and get to the chase scene now.
So，if your employer tells you to cut to the chase，be sure to get to the main point of your story quickly.
小题1:After the woman visited the United States she might feel that ________.| A．her English was poor | | B．it’s easy to master English | | C．it’s difficult to make money | | D．people there weren’t very friendly |
小题2:In which situation could the words “get your act together” be used?| A．A task is completed successfully. | | B．Players perform badly in a match. | | C．Audience is satisfied with the actor’s performance in a movie. | | D．Visitors make a tiresome and unpleasant trip to someplace. |
小题3:According to the text，the expression “get one’s act together” ________.| A．was first used by a Japanese businesswoman | | B．was forbidden to be used in the government policy | | C．originally came from a yearly report of a company | | D．was commonly read by readers in a newspaper in 1978 |
小题4:What do the sayings “get your act together” and “cut to the chase” have in common?| A．Their use. | B．Their meaning. | | C．Their origin. | D．Their popularity. |
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