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英语四级常用词汇
1、alterv.改变，改动，变更
2、burstvi.，n.突然发生，爆裂
3、disposevi.除掉；处置；解决；处理（of）
4、blastn.爆炸；气流vi.炸，炸掉
5、consumev.消耗，耗尽
6、splitv.劈开；割裂；分裂a.裂开的
7、spitv.吐（唾液等）；唾弃
8、spillv.溢出，溅出，倒出
9、slipv.滑动，滑落；忽略
10、slidev.滑动，滑落n.滑动；4滑面；幻灯片
11、bacterian.细菌
12、breedn.种，品种v.繁殖，产仔
13、budgetn.预算v.编预算，作安排
14、candidaten.候选人
15、campusn.校园
16、liberala.慷慨的；丰富的；自由的
17、transformv.转变，变革；变换
18、transmitv.传播，播送；传递
19、transplantv.移植
20、transportvt.运输，运送n.运输，运输工具
21、shiftv.转移；转动；转变
22、varyv.变化，改变；使多样化
23、vanishvi.消灭，不见
24、swallowv.吞下，咽下n.燕子
25、suspicionn.怀疑，疑心
26、suspiciousa.怀疑的，可疑的
27、milda.温暖的，暖和的；温柔的，味淡的
28、tendera.温柔的；脆弱的
29、nuisancen.损害，妨害，讨厌（的人或事物）
30、insignificanta.无意义的，无足轻重的；无价值的
31、acceleratevt.加速，促进
32、absolutea.绝对的，无条件的；完全的
33、boundaryn.分界线，边界
34、braken.刹车，制动器v.刹住（车）
35、catalogn.目录（册）v.编目
36、vaguea.模糊的，不明确的
37、vainn.徒劳，白费
38、extincta.绝灭的，熄灭的
39、extraordinarya.不平常的，特别的，非凡的
40、extremea.极度的，极端的.n.极端，过分
41、agentn.代理人，代理商；动因，原因
42、alcoholn.含酒精的饮料，酒精
43、appealn./vi.呼吁，恳求
44、appreciatevt.重视，赏识，欣赏
45、approvev.赞成，同意，批准
46、stimulatevt.刺激，激励
47、acquirevt.取得，获得；学到
48、accomplishvt.完成，到达；实行
49、networkn.网状物；广播网，电视网；网络
50、tiden.潮汐；潮流
英语四级常用短语
1、adoptapositiveapproach采取一种正确的方法
2、waitfor等待
3、passthrough经过，通过
4、asequenceof一系列的
5、setapartfrom把...区分开
6、take...forgranted以...为骄傲
7）.beawareof/that注意到
8、allbut几乎；除了...都
9、allofasudden突然
10、allover遍及
11、alloveragain再一次，重新
12、allthetime一直，始终
13、allthesame仍然，照样的
14、a
', ' ')('sregards关于，至于
15、anythingbut根本不
16、asamatteroffact实际上
17、apartfrom除...外（有/无）
18、asarule通常，照例
19、asaresult（of）因此，由于
20、asfaras...beconcerned就...而言
21、translateinto翻译成
22、setin开始
23、intendtodo想要做
24、lookingforwardto期望
25、bebuiltfrom...用...去建造
26、awidevarietyof很多的
27、atadvancedlevels在高级范围内
28、carryout完成，实施
29、accordingto根据
30、aimtodo指望做某事
31、makesacrificestodo做出牺牲而做
32、indepth深入地
33、aseriesof一系列，一连串
34、aboveall首先，尤其是
35、afterall毕竟，究竟
36、aheadof在...之前
37、aheadoftime提前
38）.allatonce突然，同时
39、inthelongrun从长远来看，最后
40、onoffer在出售中
41、choosefrom...从...中挑选
42、becuriousabout...对...感到好奇
43、confrontwith...使面临，使面对
44）.withinterest有兴趣地
45）.anaverageof...平均是...
46、athighaltitudes在很高的地方
47、drawone’sattention吸引某人的注意
48、focuson集中
49、inyearstocome在未来的几年内
50、asamatteroffact实际上
The?Serenity?of?the?Moment
It?was?one?warm?evening?many?years?ago.
After?spending?nearly?every?waking?minute?with?Angel?for?eight?straight?days，?I?knew?that?I?had?to?tell?her?just?one?thing.
So?late?at?night，?just?before?she?fell?asleep，?I?whispered?it?in?her?ear.
She?smiled?—?the?kind?of?smile?that?makes?me?smile?back?—?and?she?said，
＂When?I，m?seventy－five?and?I?think?about?my?life?and?what?it?was?like?to?be?young，?I?hope?that?I?can?remember?this?very?moment.＂
A?few?seconds?later?she?closed?her?eyes?and?fell?asleep.
The?room?was?peaceful?—?almost?silent.?All?I?could?hear?was?the?soft?purr?of?her?breathing.
I?stayed?awake?thinking?about?the?time?we，dspent?together?and?all?the?choices?in?our?lives?that?made?this?moment?possible.
And?at?some?point，?I?realized?that?it?didn，tmatter?what?we，d?done?or
', ' ')('?where?we，d?gone.?Nor?did?the?future?hold?any?significance.
All?that?mattered?was?the?serenity?of?the?moment.?Just?being?with?her?and?breathing?with?her.
We?must?not?allow?the?clock，?the?calendar，?and?external?pressures?to?rule?our?lives?and?blind?us?to?the?fact?thateach?individual?moment?of?our?lives?is?a?beautiful?mystery?and?a?miracle?—?especially?those?moments?we?spend?in?the?presence?of?a?loved?one.
What?Is?the?Meaning?of?Life?
This?is?the?story?people?will?often?tell?you:
You?come?to?this?world.
Toil?hard?and?get?educated.?Get?a?good?job.
Get?married.?Get?settled.?Then?you，ve?kids.
You?become?a?machine?to?handle?stress?and?responsibilities.
By?the?time?your?kids?become?self－sufficient，?you?start?getting?old.
Your?kids?leave?you?for?higher?studies，?work，?leaving?you?alone.
You?leave?this?world.
This?is?the?story?no?one，s?going?to?tell?you，?but?you?will?experience?for?sure:
Life?is?when?you?came?as?a?bundle?of?joy?to?your?parents，?life.
Life?is?the?excitement?of?carrying?the?school?bag?for?the?first?time.
Life?is?standing?outside?the?classroom?with?your?friends?as?punishment.
Life?is?crushing?on?the?girl?or?boy?from?college?while?your?friends?give?you?company.
Life?is?getting?rejected?in?a?job?interview?and?celebrating?failure?with?a?party?with?friends.
Life?is?the?time?you?did?something?you，re?afraid?of?doing.
Life?is?getting?over?that?scratch?on?your?new?car.
Life?is?decorating?your?new?home.
Life?is?having?sleepless?nights?with?your?little?kid?and?going?to?office?tired?the?next?day.
Life?is?shedding?a?tear?of?joy?watching?your?kid?dance?at?annual?function.
Life?is?getting?that?weekend?trip?with?your?partner，?while?your?kids?are?away.
Life?is?stealing?a?kiss?from?your?40－year－old?partner?when?your?kids?are?home.
Life?is?completing?the?marathon?at?the?age?of?60.
Life?is?telling?sto
', ' ')('ries?to?your?grandchildren.
Life?is?in?the?little?things.
And?only?little?things?matter?because?one?day?you，ll?look?back?and?realize?that?those?were?the?big?things.
Nobody?Is?Perfect
A?man?and?his?girlfriend?were?getting?married.?It?was?a?large?celebration.
The?bride?was?gorgeous?in?her?white?wedding?gown?and?the?groom?was?very?dashing?in?his?black?suit.
Everyone?could?tell?that?the?love?they?had?for?each?other?was?true.
A?few?months?later，?the?wife?came?to?her?husband?with?a?proposal:
＂I?read?in?a?magazine，?a?while?ago，?about?how?we?can?strengthen?our?marriage，＂?she?offered.
＂Each?of?us?will?write?a?list?of?everything?we?find?a?bit?annoying?about?the?other?person.?Then，?we?can?talk?about?how?we?can?change?these?annoying?things?and?make?our?life?together?happier.＂
The?husband?agreed，?so?each?of?them?went?to?a?separate?room?in?the?house?and?thought?of?the?things?that?annoyed?them?about?the?other.
They?thought?about?these?things?all?day?long?and?wrote?down?what?they?came?up?with.
The?next?morning，?they?went?over?their?lists.
＂I，ll?start，＂?offered?the?wife.?She?took?out?her?list.?It?had?many?items?on?it，?in?fact，?enough?to?fill?3?pages.
As?she?started?reading?the?list?to?her?husband，?she?noticed?that?tears?were?starting?to?appear?in?her?husband，s?eyes.
＂What，s?wrong?＂?she?asked.
＂Nothing，?keep?reading?your?list.＂?He?replied.?The?wife?continued?reading?until?she?had?read?all?three?pages.
She?neatly?placed?her?list?on?the?table?and?folded?her?hands?on?top?of?it.
＂Now，you?read?your?list?and?then?we?can?talk?about?everything?on?our?lists.＂?She?said?happily.
Quietly?the?husband?stated:?＂I?don，t?have?anything?on?my?list.?I?think?that?you?are?perfect?the?way?that?you?are.?You?are?lovely?and?wonderful?and?I?wouldn，t?want?to?change?anything?about?you.＂
The?wife，?touched?by?his?honesty，?the?depth?of?his?love?for?her?and?his?acceptance?of?her
', ' ')('，turned?her?head?and?wept.
In?life，?we?don，t?really?have?to?look?for?things?that?are?disappointing，?depressing?and?annoying.?These?things?will?always?be?there.
Nothing?is?perfect.?However，?we?can?find?perfectness?in?everything?by?changing?the?way?we?see?things.
Passage1.Woodpecker
Therearemanyappletreesinagarden.They’regoodfriends.Onedayanoldtreeisill.Therearemanypestsinthetree.Leavesofthetreeturnyellow.Theoldtreefeelsverysadandunwell.Anothertreesendsforadoctorforhim.Atfirst，theysendforapigeon，butshehasnoideaaboutit.Thentheysendforanoriole，andshecan’ttreattheoldtreewell.Thentheysendforawoodpecker.Sheisagooddoctor.Shepecksaholeinthetreeandeatslotsofpests.Atlasttheoldtreebecomesbetterandbetter.Leavesturngreenandgreen.
Passage2.ABusyDay
TodayisSunday！OnSundays，Iusuallyplaytheflute.Myfatherusuallyreadsthenewspaper.Mymotherusuallycleansthehouse.Buttodaymymotherisinbed.Sheisill.Myfatherhastodothehousework.Now，heiscleaningthehouse.“Sam，canyouhelpme?”“Yes，Dad！”Now，we’rewashingthecar.Where’smysister，Amy?Sheisplayingmyflute.Whataluckygirl！
Passage3.Thedogandhisreflection
Onedayadogwithapieceofmeatinhismouthwascrossingaplankoverastream.Ashewalkedalong，helookedintowater，andhesawhisreflection.Hethoughtthiswasanotherdogcarryingapieceofmeat.Andhefelthewouldliketohavetwopieces.Sohesnappedatthereflectioninthewater，andofcourse，asheopenedhismouth，thepieceofmeatdisappearedquickly.
Passage4.Anhonestboy
Tonyissevenyearsold.Heisanhonestandpoliteboy.Oneday，itwasSunday.Tony，hissisterandhismotherstayedathome.HewaswatchingTVandhissisterwasreadingbooks.Hismotherwaswashingclothes.Justthen，hisfathercamebackwithabagofpears.Tony
', ' ')('likespearsverymuchandhewantedtoeatone.Hismothergavehimfourandsaid，“Let’ssharethem.”“Whichpeardoyouwant，Tony?”askedhismother.“Thebiggestone，mum.”“What?”saidhismother，“Youshouldbepoliteandwantthesmallestone.”“ShouldItellaliejusttobepolite，mum?”
Passage5.Abirthdayparty
TodayisSusan’sbirthday.Sheisnineyearsold.Herfriendsareinherhomenow.Thereisabirthdaypartyintheevening.Look！Maryislisteningtothemusic.AndTomisdrinkingorangejuice.JackandSamareplayingcardsonthefloor.LilyandAmyarewatchingTV.Someoneisknockingatthedoor.It’sHenry.HebringsabigteddybearforSusan.Theteddybearisyellow.Susanisveryhappy.Allthechildrenarehappy.TheysingabirthdaysongforSusan.
Passage6.TheFarmerandtheSnake
Itwasacoldwinterday.Afarmerfoundasnakeontheground.Itwasnearlydeadbycold.TheFarmerwasakindman.Hepickedupthesnakecarefullyandputitunderthecoat.SoonthesnakeBegantomoveanditraiseditsmouthandbitthefarmer.“Oh，Mygod！”saidthefarmer，“Isaveyourlife，butyouthankmeinthatway.Youmustdie.”Thenhekilledthesnakewithastick.Atlasthedied，too.
Passage7.TwoYoungTrees
Twoyoungtreesarestandingonthetopofthehill.TheirnamesareTimandAlan.
Oneday，it’ssunnyandwarm.Somebirdsaresinginginthetrees.Thewindblows，andthetreesaretalking.“Whatdoyouwanttobewhenyougrowup?’’asksTim.“I’mnotsure.IthinkIwanttobeachairoradesk.”answersAlan，“MaybeIwanttobeatoyboxorabaseballbat.Ilikechildren.”“Whatdoyouwanttobewhenyougrowup?”asksAlan.“Me?”saysTim，“Ijustwanttobeatree.Iwanttobeahouseforbirdsandspiders.Iwanttohavemanyapples.Andwhenit’ssunnyandhot，peopleandanimalscanstandunderme.”
Passage8.Hongkongisaniceplace
HongKongisaniceplace，
', ' ')('especiallyinsummer.JulyisahotmonthinHongKong.Butit’sanexcellenttimeforswimming.ThereisabeautifulbeachatRepulseBay（浅水湾）.Togetthere，youcantakeabusfromCentral.LotsofpeoplegotothebeachonSundaysandSaturdays.Butifyougoonaweekday，itiswillbenotsocrowded.VisitorstoHongkongneedpassports.Butpeoplefrommanycountriesdonotneedvisas.Hongkongisaniceplaceforholiday.Therearemanyshops.
Passage9.Water
Waterisveryimportantforlivingthings.Withoutwater，theremustbenolifeontheearth.Alltheplantsandanimalsneedwatertodrink，tocookfoodandtocleanourselves.Waterisneededinfarms，factories，offices，schools，familiesandmanyotherplaces.Waterisfoundinseas，riversandlakes.Itcanbefoundeverywhereintheworld，anditalsocanbefoundintheair.
Passage10.Twins’Bedroom
Thisisthetwins’bedroom.Itisaniceroom.Thetwobedslookthesame.ThisbedisLily’sandthatoneisLucy’s.Thetwinshaveonedeskandtwochairs.Theirclock，booksandpencil－boxesareonthedesk.Theirschoolbagsarebehindthechairs.Someniceflowersareonthedesk.Somenicepicturesareonthewall.Isthereakite?Yes，it’sunderLily’sbed.Thebedroomisverynice.
Passage11.Dogs
Oneoftheanimalsthathelppeoplealotisthedog.Insomecountries，dogspullwagons.Inthecoldnorth，dogspullsleds.
Thereareotherwaysthatdogshelpus，too.Policemenusethemtolookformissingpeople.Soldiersusethemtocarrylettersandmedicine.Onfarms，dogstakecareofsheepandkeeptheminthefields.Atnight，theytakethesheephome.Dogshelptheblindwithwork.Somedogsaregoodandkind.Somedogsaregoodatanotherskill.
Passage12.TheBestJob
Bettyisalazygirl.Shedoesn’tstudyhard，andshedoesn’thelphermotherwiththehousework，either.“Whatareyougoingtobewhenyougrowup，Betty?”Motherask
', ' ')('s.“You’retoolazy.Nojobwilleverfityou.”“ButIknowone，”saysthegirl，“I’mgoingtobeFatherChristmas，”“YouwanttobeFatherChristmas?”Motherissurprised，“Butwhy?”“Becauseheworksonlyonedayinawholeyear.”
Passage13.ACleverMonkey
Alittlemonkeypicksupapumpkinandwantstotakeithome.Butthepumpkinistoobig.Themonkeycan’ttakeithome.
Suddenlyheseesapandaridingabiketowardshim.Hewatchesthebike.“lhaveagoodidea.Icanrollthepumpkin.Itlikesawheel.”
Soherollsthepumpkintohishome.Whenhismotherseesthebigpumpkin，sheissurprisedandsays，“Howcanyoucarryithome?”Thelittlemonkeyanswersproudly，“lcan’tliftit，butlcanrollit.”Hismothersmilesandsays，“Whatacleverboy！”
Passage14.WhatAreStarsLike?
Haveyoueverwonderedaboutthestars?Insomeways，starsarelikepeople.Theyareborn.Theygrowold.Andtheydie.Astarisbornfromdustandgas.Slowlythedustandgasmakeaball.Theballgetsveryhot.Thenitstartstogiveofflight.Theyoungstargrowsintoagiant.Manyyearsgoby.Theolderstarbeginstogetsmallagain.Atlastitslightgoesout.Thestar’slifeisover.
Passage15.RadioandTelevision
Radioandtelevisionareverypopularintheworldtoday.MillionsofpeoplewatchTV.Perhapsmorepeoplelistentotheradio.
TheTVismoreusefulthantheradio.OnTVwecanseeandhearwhatishappeningintheworld.However，radioisn’tlost.Itisstillwithus.Andlistenersarebecomingmore.That’sbecauseatransistorradioisn’tlost.Itisstillwithus.Itisveryeasytocarry.Youcanputoneinyourpocketandlistentoitonthebusoryourbikewhenyougotowork.
Passage16.It’scoolbehindyou
It’stwoo’clockintheafternoon.Thesunisshinningandit’sveryhot.Nancyhastomeethermotheratthetrainstation.
Nowshe’swalkinginthestreet.Therearenotrees
', ' ')('andshe’sfat.Soshefeelsveryhot.Butshedoesn’tfindaboywalkingjustbehindher.Andshemeetsafriendandsays“hello”tohim.“Who’stheboybehindyou？”askstheman.Nowsheseestheboy.Sheisangryandasks，“Whyareyouwalkingbehindme，boy?”“There’snoshadeinthestreet，youknow.”answerstheboy.“It’scoolbehindyou，Ithink.”
Passage17.Father’sHobby
MydadworksfromMondaytoFridayinabank.heusesthecomputertocountmoney.Hisjobisveryimportantinthebank.
Dadisalsobusyathome.Atweekendshecooksdinner.UsuallyhecooksItalianfood.OnSundayshemakesfivepiecesofpizza.SometimeshecookschickenandmakesChinesefood.Mymumwatchesandhelpshim.Ihelpmydad，too.Iwashthedishes.
Manypeoplethinkitisstrangeforamantocook.Butmydadenjoyshishobby.Cookingrelaxeshim.Heisaweekendcook.
Passage18.Idon’tthinkso
Jackisagoodboybuthedoesn’tliketousehishead.Heoftensayssomethingwithouthinking.Itmakesothersunhappy.
Mr.Blackteachesmathinaschool.He’soldnowandhelikeschildren.OntheFridayMr.Blackdoesn’tgotowork，becausehe’sillinahospital.AndJack’smotherwillseehimafterdinner.“Iwanttobetherewithyou.”saysJack.“You’rearudeboy.Ican’ttakeyouthere.’’sayshismother.“Don’tworry，mum.Iwon’tdothatagain.Pleasebelieveme.”saysJack.Inthehospital，Jacksaysnothingatfirst.Whenthey’releaving，hesaystoMr.Black，“Youlookfine.Thedoctorsaysyou’regoingtodie，butIdon’tthinkso.”
Passage19.Sevendaysinaweek
Thereareaboutfifty－twoweeksinayear.Andtherearesevendaysineachweek.ThefirstdayofaweekisSunday.TheotherdaysofaweekbetweenSundayandSaturdayareMonday，Tuesday，WednesdayThursdayandFriday.Mondayisthesecondday，Tuesdayisthethirdday，Wednesdayisthefourthday，Thursdayisthefifthday，andFridayisthesix
', ' ')('thday.What’sthelastday?Doyouknow?
Passage20.MyspecialFriend
IhaveafriendintheU.S.HisnameisDonAdams.Iknowhimverywell，butIhavenevermethim.Wewritetoeachotherallthetime.Mylettersareveryshort.ItisstillhardformetowriteinEnglish.IreceivedaletterfromDonyesterday.Itmakesmeveryhappy.Heiscomingtomycountryforavisitnextsummer.Wearegoingtoseeeachotherforthefirsttime.
Passage21.ADayinMyLife
Myfamilylivesonthisstreet.Inthemorning，myfathergoestoworkandallthechildrengotoschool.Mymothertakesustoschooleveryday.Shedoesthehousework.Shealwayshasherlunchathome，andseesherfriendsintheafternoon.Intheeveningallthechildrencomehomefromschool.Theyalwaysgethomeearly.Myfathergoeshomefromworkandheisoftenlate.AftersuppermytwobrothersandIdoourhomework.Wegotobedatten.
Passage22.TheSea
Whatdoknowaboutthesea?Somepeoplehaveseenitbutothershaven’t.Thesealooksbeautifulonafinesunnydayanditcanbeverytoughwhenthereisastrongwind.Whatotherthingsdoyouknowaboutit?Ofcourse，theseaisverylarge.Intheworldthereismoreseathanland.Ifyouhaveswuminthesea，youknowthattheseaissalty.Riverscarrysaltfromthelandintothesea.Someplacesoftheseaaresaltierthantheotherplaces.DoyouknowtheDeadSea?Itissosaltythatyoucan’tsinkwhenyouareinthewater！Andfishcannotliveinit！
Passage23.AGoodYoungPioneer
LiHuaisaYongPioneer.Heisgoingtothepark.Nowheiswaitingforabus.Suddenlyhefindsawatchontheground.Heaskssomepeople，“Whosewatchisit?”Butthewatchisn’ttheirs.Sohegivesthewatchtoapoliceman.
NowLiHuagetsonthebus.Heissittingnearthewindow.Anoldwomangetsonthebus.Shehasnoseat.Sohestandsupandsays，“Hereisaseatforyou，Granny.Ple
', ' ')('asesithere”
Passage24.Seahorse
Thereareallkindsofhorsesintheworld.Butoneofthemyoucan’tride.Itdoesn’tliveonland，butinthesea.Itlooksliketheheadofhorse.Sothepeoplecallitseahorse.Infact，theseahorseisasmallfish.Itlikestoliveinwarmwater.Aseahorsestandsupinthewaterwhenitswims.
Fatherhorsecarriestheeggstokeepthemsafeinitspouch.Whentheeggsarehatched，thebabyhorsesswimaway.
Passage25.ACatandaBird
Therearethreetreesnearthehouse.Thereisabigtree，andtwosmalltrees.
Inthebigtreethereisabird.Canthebirdsing?Yes，itcan.What’sunderthebigtree?It’sacat.
“Iwantsomefood，”thinksthecat.“Bird，mygoodfriend，Comehere！It’stimetoplaygames”saysthecat.
“Notoday，thankyou！”saysthebird，“Youcan’tcatchme！Goodbye！”Look！Thebirdisflying！
Passage26.AFlyingFox
Aflyingfoxisnotafoxatall.Itisabat.Butthisbatlookslikeafox.Aflyingfoxisverybig.Itlikestoeatfruit.Sometimestheflyingfoxiscalledfruitbat.
Theflyingfoxfliesintofruittrees.Thenthebateatsallthefruit.Sofruitfarmersdonotliketheflyingfox.
Passage27.FlyingBirds
Birdsdon’tflyhighupinthesky.Theairistoothin.
Itishardforbirdstobreatheinthinair.Thinairdoesn’tholdthemup.
Birdsflynearthegroundsothattheycanseewheretheyare.Thebirdslookforplacestheyknow.Thentheydonotgetlost.Somebirdsflysolowovertheoceanthatthewavesoftenhidethem.Manybirdsflyalongdistanceinthespringandautumn.
Passage28.Air
Airisallaroundus.Itisaroundusaswewalkandplay.Fromthetimewewerebornairisaroundusoneveryside.Whenwesitdown，itisaroundus.Whenwegotobed，airisalsoaroundus.Weliveinair.Wecanlivewithoutfoodorwaterforafewdays，butwecann
', ' ')('otliveformorethanafewminuteswithoutair.Wetakeinair.Whenweareworkingorrunningweneedmoreair.Whenweareasleep，weneedlessair.Weliveinair，butwecannotseeit.Wecanonlyfeelitwhenitismoving.Movingairiscalledwind.Howcanwemakeairmove?Hereisoneway.Holdanopenbookinfrontofyourface，closeitquickly.Whatcanyoufeel?Whatyoufeelisair.
Passage29.Clocks
TherearemanyclocksintheBrown’shouse.Theyareindifferentrooms.Abigclockstandsinacornerofthesittingroom.Itisavery，veryoldclock，butitstillkeepsgoodtime.Mr.Brownwindsitonceaweek.
Passage30.Swimming
Swimmingisagoodsport.It’spopular.Peoplelikeswimmingbecausethewatermakespeoplefeelcool.Butiftheyswiminawrongplace，itisverydangerous.Theseyears，somepeoplediedwhentheywereenjoyingthemselvesinwaterandmostofthemwerestudents.Summerholidaywillbethereagain.Iwanttogiveyousomeadvice.First，don’tgetintothewaterwhenyouarealone.Second，don’tgetintothewaterifthereisaNoswimmingsign.Third，youshouldbecarefulinthewater.Ifyourememberthese，swimmingwillbesafeandit’sgoodforyourhealth.
ModernTechnologies
We’reallenjoyingtheconveniencesandhappinessbroughtbymoderntechnologies.Weusetelephonesandmobilephonestocall，emailstowriteandvehiclestodrive；wegotoanothercountrybyairplanes；weseewhatishappeningintheworldbyTVprogramsandInternet，andweevenwatchsportsgamesonlive.Nowadays，withoutthesetechnologies，Ican’timaginewhatmylifecouldbe.
Iusedtoreadanarticledescribingthemodernlivesofhumanbeings.Itsayswewillhavemanyphonenumbersifwewanttosearchforoneperson；wesendemailsandcellphonemessagestoourfriendsinsteadofvisitingthem.MoreandmorepeoplewouldrathersitinfrontofacomputerthanaTV.Andweseldomgo
', ' ')('tolibrariestocheckinformationnow，becausetheInternetwoulddoallthejobs.
Weusedigitalcameras，scanners，photocopiers，blueteethtechnologyanddigitalsignalsforourcellphones…Itseemsasifwewerelivinginarealdigitalworld.ActuallyIguessweare，though.Sincewearesodevelopedandadvanced，whywearelesscivilized?
Weareeasilymadwithourbrokencomputers；wefedupwiththingswedon’tlike；wecallourloverstosay“farewellandgood－bye”andweareafraidtofacethefactswhicharecruelandreal.We’reledtoatrendthattherewillnomoreface－to－facecommunications.IwouldratherchatwithmyfriendswithOICQandemailstheseyears，insteadofseeingtheminreality.
IhidemyselfinsidemycarsothatIcanfleeawayfromdirt，airpollutions，robberies，thieves，winds，rainsandsnows.However，Icouldnottastethespringrainandthewintersnoweither.Thenatureisfleeingawayfrommetoo！
ShouldIthankmoderntechnologiesorblamethem?Iwonderifyouhavegottherightanswer.
MyJournals7
June22，2005..Iboughta525mlbottleofVaseline（abrandoflotion.）ExtraStrengthlotion.Itwasonsale，just3bucks，likeRMB20kuai.Thatwasareallygooddeal.Icanuseitfor365days.Savingismypremierjob，cozImnotrichandalsocouldn’tbuyluxuryproducts.OneofmyfriendswhoisinAustraliaonlyloveLouisVuitton（aluxurybrandofleatherproductsfromFrance）Lasttime，shesentmesomepicturesaboutherLouisVuittoncollection.Itwashuge！EverythingofhersisLouisVuitton，evenherunderwears.（DoesLouisVuittonproduceUNDERWEAR?）SheprobablyboughtaNissan（acarbrandfromJapan.）350z.Wow！Ilovethatcarverymuch，butIcan’taffordit.Whenwewereinthesameseniorhighschool，shetoldherfriendsshelikedme，butsheneversaidittome.WhenIknewit，sheisalreadylivinginAustralia.WechatsometimesonMSN（amessagesoftwar
', ' ')('ewhichisextensivelyusedallovertheworld），butwearejustcommonfriends.Speakitlikeitis，Iwasneverinlovewithher，cozIdidn’thavethatfeeling.Maybeshewasseeingme，butIwasnot.Yesterday，ImentionedaboutaKoreangirl.Shewasrichaswell.ShehasaBMWX5and……Ithinkthatcarisenoughtoproveeverything.Howcomethosegirlswholikedmearemuchricherthanme?Impoorandstillsufferthepoverty.Whenthese2girlsareeatingdeliciousfood，Imeatinginstantnoodlesoup.Whentheyaredrivingontheroadelatedly，Imwalkingtouniversity.Ireallywannafindapoorgirltobemygalfriend，cozIcouldalsofindthebalance.Myex－girlfriendislivinginJapan.Sheisok，notthatrich.Sometimes，wetalkonline，andshestillcallsmeSWEETIEandregardsmeasherhusband.Icanseethroughshewantstogetbackourrelationship.Ha，thatisokay.Butitdoesn’tmakeanysense.Shewon’tcometoCanadaforme.Shehasagoodjobandfamilythere.ThatwaswhyIdidnotwanthertotagalongwithmeandstickwithme.Wearehopelessalthoughourlovelastedalmost4years.Ijustwannagetoverit！NowIma100％singleman.Ilivebymyself.EverydayIkeepbeingbusy.Idobelievethatsometimesgirlisnothingbuttroubles.Today，Iboughtanewtee，thewordsprintedontheshirtare“CanadianGirlsDrinkingTeam”，Ijustfeltitwasinterestingandboughtit.Maybesomeofmyfriendsseeit，theyprobablyscream“areyougonnachangeyoursexandjointhatteam，man?Youlookweirdandfreak！”Ha，whocares！
Ijusttriedtouseveryverybasicandeasywordshereinordertomakeeachsentencemoreunderstandableandcleanoutanyvocabularyblocks.Ijusthopeyouenjoyitandkeepreadingitdaybyday.Today，mytestwasfabulous！Tomorrowthereisanotherone.Imgonnaprepareit.Cya.（Seeya）
MyGirlfriendisCat－－－－Bysmellycatty
WekneweachotherontheforumofNewOrientalSchool.Thatti
', ' ')('me，webothhadbeenhurt，driftinginalonelycityforalongtime，yearningtofly，andcravingfortrueandforeverlove.
IstudiedGMATbymyselfinarentedsmallflat，shewasworkinghardtogoabroadasapost－doctor.Studyingforthetest，writingheremails，andhavinglongtalksoverthephonelateatnightbecameahabitaswellasthehappiestmomentsofmyotherwiseboringandlonelylife.Beforelong，IfoundmyselfattachedtothesweetvoiceandthegentlenessofthegirlIhadnevermet.
Onenight，beforeIhungupthephone，asadnessandromancesurgedupinme.AndIsaidtoher:“Iwanttosingasongtoyou.”Iusedtobeabigmusicfanincollege.Ilistenedtomusicasawayofdealingwiththeblandschoollife.AndIalsolikedtoyellsometunesinthecorridororonmywaybacktomydormatnight.Somepeoplelabeledmystyle“streetsinger”who’sfromthesuburbofHongKong.
ThesongIsangthatnightistheoriginalJapaneseversionofanoldsongbythenameof“HalfFullMoon（月半弯）”.AsIalreadysaid，Isangitthousandsoftimesonthestreet，incorridorandKaraokeBars.Butmyperformancehasneverbeenthatgoodthistime.Ididn’tknoworwasn’tsurewhatkindofpersonshewouldbeinmylife.MaybeafriendontheInternet，maybejustanordinaryfriend，orevenmyfuturegirlfriend，Ihadabsolutelynoidea.ShewassomegirlIhadn’tmet，soIjusttreatedherasalistenertomyheart.
Whathappenedlaterwasanabrupttwist.Onedarkandwindynight，ourfriendshipbecamealovecaughtonfirebecauseofmynotbadsinging.Onanimpulse，Iwhisperedtoher，“Tellyouthetruth，allmylife，Iamlookingforsomeone，withher，wecouldbecomehappyfortherestofourlife.”
Ontheotherendofthephone，shechokedupandstartedsobbing.Allofasudden，IrealizedthatbothsheandIwishedtobringtheotherhappiness.
Frommypastexperienceandinstinct，IthoughtthatI
', ' ')('shoulddosomethingimmediately.Soafewdayslater，drivenbycuriosityandpassion，Idecidedtovisither.Mysurprisevisitindeedshockedher.ItseemedtomethatshestillwantedtokeeponourrelationshipbytelephoneandInternet.Latershetoldmethatthisgaveherlotsofromanceandfunforimagination.
Urgedbymypleadingandthreatening，sheshowedup，asmallgirlwithembarrassmentandexcitementalloverherface.Iwasmorethanoneheadtallthanher.Walkingbesideher，Iturnedmyheadandcouldn’tseeher.Herhairswereblownupbywind，brushingagainstmyfaceandmakingmeveryitchy.Iwastryingveryhardtofigureoutsometopics，suddenlymyhandwasinherhand.
Thiscouldbethegreatestembarrassmentofmywholelife.Neverbeforehadmyhandbeenholdbyagirlfirst.Inasecond，IfeltlikethatIbecameagirlwalkingonthestreetwithhandhold.Wewalkedandwalked.Alongtimepassed，wetriedtolooseeachotherupbytalkingaboutsomefunnythings.Shewasmucheasy－goingthanIthoughtshewouldbe.ButIwasmuchshyerthanIusedtobelieve.
Areddragonintheglobaleconomy
ManyChinesebelievethatforChinatobestrongitstradeaccountmustnotbeinthered.Itmusthaveatradesurplustogrowprosperous.Soifwelookbackat5000yearsofChinesehistory，itwouldbesurprisingthatthetimeChina’stradewasintheredwasalsojustwhenthe‘middlekingdom’wasatitspeakduringthatdynasty.
Forexample，duringHanDynasty，Chinaranatradedeficitforcenturieswithneighboringcountries，anditwasalsothetimeChinabecamethecenteroftheAsia.AnotherobviousexampleistheTangandSongDynasty（from7thcenturyto11thcentury），whenChinawasagaininatradedeficitwithnearlyallitsneighbors.Chinawasthenexperiencingshortagesofgold，silverorevenbronze，butnoneofthishadblockedthereddragonfrombeingthestrongestnationatthattime.B
', ' ')('utattheendofSongDynasty，justdecadesbeforetheChinesewereinvadedanddefeatedbyMongolians，ChinabecamethemainexporterinAsiaanditwasoneoftheseveralperiodswhenChinawasweak.Historianscannotsimplyconcludethisascoincidence.
Recenthistorytellsthesamestory.Theendof19thcenturywasanightmarefortheancientnation.ManyblamedthetradedeficitthatresultedfromopiumtradeastheplaguewhichcausedtheweaknessofChina’seconomyinthelateQingDynasty.However，ifweputopiumtradeaside，Chinawasstillalargeexporterintheworldwhileitimportedlittlefromtheoutsideworld.Atsomepoint，China’stradepartnershadtouseopiumasawaytopayfortheirtradedeficitwithChina.Earlier，inthemiddleofthe18thcentury，Chinacouldproduceenoughopiumfordomesticmarketandalsobecomeanexporterinnormaldefinition，butitdidn’thelpChinatobeastrongernationatall.WhenChinalauncheditsfirstindustrializationcampaign，it’stradesoonturnedintoredagain，butthishappenedduringthelaststruggleofQingDynastyinitsdyingyears.
Afteritsopening－upin1978，Chinawasintheredagainforelevenyears，withtheexceptionof1983.ThegovernmentisimplementingofastrategyofstimulatingexportsinitiallyfromChina’sopening－up.Itisareasonablepolicyforapost－communismeconomywhichislackofanefficientfiancésystemandaminimum－requiredforeigncurrencyreserve.
Since1990，Chinahasbeenchalkinguptradesurpluswiththeexceptionof1993.In2004，thetradesurplusofChinaamountsto＄70billion，ofwhich＄58.6billionfromSino－UStrade.Withitsexpandingoftradesurplus，itseconomicrapidgrowthcontinuesfordecades.Atthesametime，Chinesefactoriesarefamousfordumpingcheapgoodsfromadvantagesofitslow－costlaborsandpoorenvironmentstandard.Afterall，Chinaisdeveloping，muchfasterthanEU，US，Japanoranyothermajorpowerof
', ' ')('theworld.ThereisnodoubtthatChinaisregainingitsstrengthandwillbeamajoreconomicpowerinthe21stcentury.
WhatwillChinabringtotheglobalizationofeconomy?Evenforacountryof1.2billionpopulationand960squarekilometers，thereisnounlimitedsupplyofcheaplabororunlimitedtoleranceofenvironmentpollution.However，thedemandofthe1.2billionpopulationmarketinafast－growingeconomycouldbethepowerfulengineoftheglobaleconomyinhumanhistory.SomeofChinesekeyofficialsandscholarshasturnedtopro－deficitattitudeonthisdebateandmoreandmorepeoplerealizethatChinahasnoresponsibilitytosupplytheworldwithcheapgoodswhilethelivingstandardofChinesepeoplearebelowaveragelevel.WhilethoseboomingChinesecompanieshaveshowntheirappetitesforrawmaterialsontheglobalmarket，theextravaganceofChinesewealthyfamilyincitieshasgivenhopestoglobalmanufacturers.
MostofthepressuretogrowimportscomesfromChina’stradepartners，especiallyUSandJapan.AstrongwindcallingfortherevaluationofRMBhasbeenblowingsincethebeginningof2003，andsomeevencriticizeChinaasanexporterofdeflation.Atthesametime，hugeamountsofhotmoneyflowintoChinadespitecapitalcontrolsthatstrictlylimitmoneyflowsintothiscountry.ChineseofficialshaveopenlyrefusedtorevaluateRMBunderpressureandsomeevensaythatitsaconspiracytosacrificeChina’seconomywithoutbringingbenefitstotheglobaleconomy.ButthosestrongwordsagainsttherevaluationofRMBweremoreorlessforinternalpolitics.Thegovernmentthenbegantoboosttheimportstoeasethepressureonthecurrency.
Domestically，therearemoreandmorecriticismsagainstthestimulating－exportpolicies，especiallythetaxreimbursementpolicy.Thetaxreimbursementtoexportershasaggravatedthefiscaldeficitofthecentralgovernment.Thegovernmenthaspaid125billionRM
', ' ')('Band115billionRMBfortaxreimbursement.Thisappropriationwasfarfromtheamountincurredeveryyearanduptotheendof2003，thetaxreimbursementinarrearsreachedto340billionRMB（＄41.06billion）.Theprofitmarginratesofmanyexportersarebelowthereimbursementrate.Asthedefaultofpaymentaccumulatedyear－by－year，someexportershavefallenintoliquidityproblemwhilewaitingforthepaymentoftaxreimbursementinarrears.
SoChinashouldnotbeafraidtobecomeredintrade，likeithasduringmanyperiodsofgreatness.Ifthedragonbecomesberedforyearsorevendecades，themostforeseeableconsequenceisthatRMBwillbeaninternationalcurrency.Tosupportaninternationalcurrency，Chinashouldbuild‘astablemacroeconomicenvironment，anefficientmarketmechanismandahealthybankingsystem’asChinesePremierWenJiabaomentionedasthepreconditionsforarevaluationofRMB.Itiseasytosaywhat’sgoodbutitisdifficulttoidentifytheproblemsandsolvethem.Whenthegrowthisstillenoughtosustainthesystem，whowillbebraveenoughtocutthemessbehindtherise?Chinashouldnotbeafraidtobecomeredagain.
Makeyourfateincontrol
Fateisdeterminedbycharacter，andcharacterisdeterminedbyknowledge，desireandhabit.Ifapersonwantstochangehisfate，hehastochangehischaracterfirst；andifhewantstochangehischaracter，hehastochangehisknowledgeorhisdesiresandhabits.Complainingtootherpeopleortheenvironmentsmakesnosense.
Actually，everybodyinthisworldwillknowaboutthemeaningoflife.It’sjustthematteroftime.Aworker，whohadjustlosthisjob，metauniversityprofessoroneday.Headmittedthathedidn’tlovetostudywhenhewasastudent.Hejusthatedtostudynomatterwhatandhowhisfatheraskedhimto.Whenhegotajobandbecameaworker，herealizedhowimportanttohaveknowledgeinthisworld.But，itwastoolate…
', ' ')('Therearenoparentswhodon’tthinkstudyingisimportantfortheirchildren，andalltheparentstelltheirchildrentostudyhard.We，however，stillhavesomuchdifferenceondifferentchildren，ontheresults，thatwefinallywillknowit’isthematterofself－control.
Whenwearekidsinaprimaryschool，weseenodifferencefromeachother.WejustknowsomebodyisgoodatChinese，MathorSports.Wejustknowthattheteacherlikeshimorher.Nowadays，wedifferentiateourclassmatesbytheirparents.Wesay:oh，god，hisfatheristhevicemayor，hisfatherisveryrich；hismotheristhedeanofthebiggesthospital….ThisisdefinitelynotagoodsignforChinaandtheChinesepeople，becauseitmakesnocompetitionfortheyoungsters，whoarehavingChina’sfutureinhand.
Thepooralwayshatetherich，becausetheyseetherichdrivingalltheluxurycars，livingincondominiums，villasandspendingmoneyliketheyarecountless.Andthepoorseetherichalwaysonvocations，alwayssorelaxedandenjoyable.Sothepoorarejealousandtheywonderhowcantherichbesorichandthepooraresopoor.Well，thepoorobviouslyforgetonething:Whentherichareworkinghardandsmarttocollectmoney，thepoorarelyingsomewhereandmakingcomplains.
Makeyourfateandsuccessincontrol；youcanmakeadifferenceinthefuture，unlessyouwanttoapoorperson，bothmentallyandphysically.
Love，love，love
PleaseforgivemebecauseI’mnottalkingaboutthepopularsonghere.Ireallylovethatsong，though！WhatIwanttobringtoyoupeoplehereissomethingI’dliketodiscusswith.
Loveisindeedabigconcept.Thusitmakessomepeopleconfusedorfeelblur.AsIhavementionedbeforeinthisforum，Idon’tevendiffer“love”from“like”sometimes.Canyou?
Iknownobodywhodoesn’twanthislifefilledwithlove.Oneis/hasbeen/willbereceivinglovefromhisparents，relatives，friends，
', ' ')('colleagues，loversandwhatsoeverlivingcreatures，includinganimals.FullyenjoyinglovefromaroundmeiswhatIalwayslongfor.HowhappyandjoyfulIwouldbeifIcouldhaveloveeverywhereinthisplanet！
Loveconquerseverythinginhuman’sworld.Themorecivilizedanddevelopedacountryis，themoreloveyouwillseeinthere.IsawmanycharityorganizationsinSingaporeandCanada，andIbelievetheremustbemanyinotherdevelopedcountries.Thereis，however，sofewinChina.EventhoughtherearesomesimilarorganizationsinChina，I’mafraidtheyarenotdoingtheirjobs.
ThemostpopularcasewecanseeinChinaisLeukemia.Ihaveallalongbeendonatingmoneytothosepatients，sinceIwasastudent.Ijustfeelthat’stheonlywayIcanusetohelpthem.
Theothercaseisraisedbybaggers，whoarewanderinginthestreetsallthetime.Theyareeverywhereinthecities.Theyareannoyingsometimes，becausetheywouldevenpullyourpantstoholdyoubackifyourefusetogivethemcashes.Ipaymorerespecttothosewhowouldrathergocollectingrubbishesatnightsthanbeingcriminalstostealorrob，orcommitwhateverbadthingsagainstthelocalcitizens.Oncea80overyearsoldwomanwasseenlyingonthesideofaroad.Isawhertoo，forseveraltimes.Sheseldombaggedformoney，shewantedfoodsandclothesmorethancashes.EachtimeIpassedby，Iwouldgiveher10Yuan，notforpityingher，butdowhatIcouldtobeofhelp.Shediedoneyearlater.IwassadwhenIheardthenewsbecauseIcouldn’timaginewhatkindofchildrenshehadwouldabandontheirparents！Shemustbeverysadanddesperatewhensheleftherhome；shemustbetoughandstrongtosurviveinsuchabigcoldcityaloneforyears；shemustbethinkingaboutsomethingbeforeherdeath；shemustbe…
Ifthereisanotherlifeforthiswretchedpoorwomanafterherdeath，Ihopeshewouldhaveamuchbetterlifebythen.Mayhersoul
', ' ')('restinpeace.
', ' ')