高等教育自学考试《英语（二）》考前点题卷二

When it comes to our finances, each of us has our own individual approach.Some of us are savers, some are spenders, and others are some-where in between.This continuum is a paradigm that our popular culture uses to frame differences in the way people approach money.I believe that the way we approach our finances goes beyond that particular behavioral characteristic.In reality, I think our approach to finances can be viewed in more of a multi-dimensional setting, where money has a different role in our lives.For some, money means survival, plain and simple.For others, money is something that is a part of their lives but rarely on their mind, regardless of the role it actually plays.For yet others, money is an obsession, as accumulation indicates achievement.Some people view money as a defensive resource to protect against future setbacks.Some people want money to provide a good home, to contribute to the ability to have certain hobbies, or to provide something to future generations and so on.Sometimes the same person may view money differently in different situations.The bottom line is that we each have our own relationship with money, and our own conscious and subconscious needs for money, rooted in our value systems.This is an area of personal finance that has interested me for a while.Why do people behave the way they do with respect to their money? What's driving this behavior? Of course, a starting point for anybody is to consider how you personally view things.Taking an introspective approach，I have spent time figuring out my own take on money，and the role it plays in my life.What I have determined is that for me，it fits into a framework that includes the following elements：health, wealth, and relationships.These are linked together as a part of a system.They're all connected, and to the extent one is strengthened, the others will be strengthened as well.If one is weakened, the others will be weakened as well.So to me, money is a part of the wealth aspect of HWR.Beyond basic survival, money gives you the opportunity to live a healthier life, with the time and means to have more positive relationships.One thing I want to make clear is that I am not saying that money buys friends.Well, it could, but those aren't true friends.What I am saying is that the more money you have ,on balance, the less stressed you are about it, and the more time you have to do other things, such as cultivate true, genuine relationships that aren’t based on money.Money is but a component in the system.

As acommunication skills trainer, I've met a wide range of people.Some people havetrouble associating with others and have difficulty making friends.So I wouldlike to discuss two key points to making good friends.The first is to showrespect and love for your friends through your words.Try to say things toothers that would feel good to you if you heard them.For example, say thingslike, "Thanks for the great time" and "It was really nice to getto know you."If you are not good at speaking, then smiling and using bodylanguage to express your sincerity is also an effective way to communicate.Additionally, I recommend that when you meet someone new send them an e-mail orletter before the day is over to express how nice it was to meet them.The goal ofgood communication is to reach another person's heart and form a comfortablerelationship.It is, therefore, based the premise that you get rid of yourworries and become a bright and positive person.When there is static noiseover the phone line, you can't hear the other person clearly, right? In thesame way, when your mind is full of worries and you try to communicate withanother person, you cannot give or receive messages accurately.For example,let's say you are still tied to a past wound of being betrayed by a friend andfeeling hurts .Even if you meet someone new and he or she tells you,"Let's be good friends," you may not be able to accept it because youwill hear a negative inner voice saying something like "Imight bebetrayed again" or "the person might have a hidden agenda."Withthis worry in your mind, you will not be able to make friends.If you canbe refreshed and get rid of your worries, you should be able to sense others'thoughts and feelings without prejudice and build a relationship of trust.Ifyou really can't let go of your painful past experience, then try to changeyour perspective on the experience.For example,try to think that it was a necessary lesson for you to understand others' pain.If you can think of the positive intention behind the event, then you will beable to view the experience favourably and feel better.

Do you have a dream-something that you've always seen yourself doing? Perhaps you see yourself as an actor, business owner, or even a CEO.Whatever dream God has given you, don’t let it die.   A dream is a wonderful thing.It can give you hope for your future and encourage you to try when all odds are against you.But be-ware, there are dream killers that want to snuff the life out of your dream.Don't let them do it!    People who can't or don't want to see your dream fulfilled can kill your dream.They may tell you that it is impossible for you, that you are not smart enough or that it's never been done before.However, many times the biggest dream killer is you.   Don't let fear, threat, doubt, lack of finances, etc.tell you that you can't fulfill your dream.Talk back to these killers.Tell them, "I can and will fulfill my destiny, my dream.” You may have to do this every day, but that's ok.The more you instill within your heart that you can do it, your dream will be held safe within you.   It is very important to take steps towards fulfilling your dream.For me, in order to fulfill my dream of one-day owning my own magazine, I needed to go back to school and finish my college degree.For you, it may be something different.You know deep inside what the voice of your dream calls for.Don't be afraid, just do it.Try not to let too much time go by.Time is another one of those dream killers.   Meditate on the words of a song by Yolanda Adams, “Keep the dream alive, don’t let it die, it’s something deep inside, keeps inspiring me to try, don't stop and never give up, don't ever give up on you.Sometimes, life can place a stumbling block in your way, but you've got to keep the faith."    When you dream, dream BIG, and never give up.There's no law that says you have to dream small.Your dream is just that, yours.Never let anyone tell you that your dream can't happen, it can! Nurture your dream.Keep seeing yourself do what's never been done before.As you continue to feed your dream and protect it, not only will you keep it alive, but it has no other choice but to come forth!

①As has been demonstrated repeatedly, a transportation infrastructure based around individuals in automobiles contributes to global warming, pollution, health problems and energy insecurity.Conversely, the idea behind a green transportation infrastructure is one that provides opportunities for people to get around their communities using their own power-such as walking or biking-or by other more environmentally sensitive means, like trains or buses.Sometimes, the best definition of a concept can be found by describing what it is not.All one has to do to get across the idea is to highlight the experience virtually all of us have shared at some point in our life (and for millions of Americans it can be literally an everyday experience): sitting in our motionless cars on a jam-packed highway as the vehicles spew emissions and pollution into the air.Even in cases when it's difficult or impossible to remove the car from the picture entirely, there are ways to green our transportation infrastructure and improve our health and quality of life.Therefore, we have to find out some ways to improve what's already in place. ②A lot of city dwellers hold that they prefer to drive cars to work.Sure, there are plenty of reasons keeping them in the cars.Convenience is obviously one, but having to wait at a bus stop and then sit or stand on a crowded bus while cars go by is definitely another big trouble.But cities around the world are doing their best to employ the environmental benefits of bus ridership by making them more attractive to ride.One major way is by creating lanes dedicated to buses so that they can zoom past cars and trucks on roadways. ③Fun is just one of the many benefits to cities and towns that commit to making biking easy and safe."Cleaner, healthier, quieter and safer neighborhoods," are the results of making bikeways and lanes a.priority, says Zehner,who argues that even though American cities are more spread out than those in Europe, they are still great candidates for bikes.If Americans can embrace the concept it will make us more like the rest of the world; indeed, Zehner says the bike is the predominant mode of transport globally, with around 2 billion people using them. ④When it was originally built in 1889 ,the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge in Poughkeepsie,N.Y., was all about commerce and transportation, allowing people and goods to flow easily over the Hudson River.For years, the bridge sat unused after a fire nearly destroyed it in 1974 until a group called Walkway over the Hudson began its efforts to transform the bridge into a place for the public to enjoy.The group was finally successful in its efforts when the Walkway over the Hudson State Park opened in 2009-making it the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, which has since attracted more than 1 million visitors.Pedestrian bridges provide opportunities for alternative, environmentally friendly transportation modes such as hiking and walking. ⑤Giving people the opportunity and encouragement to get out and walk sometimes takes a little creativity, especially in hyper-urban are- as like New York City.In the city's old Meatpacking District, a group of committed citizens have transformed what was once a piece of what would now be called green irfrastructure—an elevated railway line- and transformed it into a nearly 1.5-mile walkway and park on the west side of Manhattan called the High Line.What was a transportation route for meat and other agricultural goods heading into factories and warehouses from 1934 to 1980 is now a popular park with areas for public art and urban gardens.

Healthy Self-Esteem    ___1___ This healthy attitude allows you to explore other aspects of growing up, such as developing good friendships, growing more independent from your parents, and challenging yourself physically and mentally.___2___    A positive, optimistic attitude can help people develop strong self-esteem.For example, saying, “Hey, I'm human” instead of "Wow, I’m such a loser" when you've made a mistake, or not blaming others when things don't go as expected.   Knowing what makes you happy and how to meet your goals can help you feel capable, strong, and in control of your life.___3___    Tips for Improving Your Body Image    Some people think they need to change how they look or act to feel good about themselves.___4___    The first thing to do is recognize that your body is your own, no matter what shape, size, or color it come in.If you're very worried about your weight or size, check with your doctor to verify that things are OK.But it's no one's business but your own what your body is like.Ultimately, you have to be happy with yourself.   ___5___ Everyone (even the most perfect-seeming celeb) has things about themselves that they can't change and need to accept, like their height, for example, or their shoe size.