单选题 There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degrees of health and wealth and the other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes miserable. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, the events, and the resulting effects upon their minds.
The people who are to be happy fix their attention on the conveniences of things, the pleasant parts of conversation, the well-prepared dishes, the goodness of the wines, and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the contrary things. Therefore, they are continually discontented. By their remarks, they sour the pleasures of society, offend many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind were founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The tendency to criticize and be disgusted is perhaps taken up originally by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessor. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it are convinced of its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warming may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.
Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious consequences in life, since it brings, on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others, nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect, and scarcely that. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at obtaining some advantage in rank or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public disapproval, not one will defend or excuse them. These people should change this bad habit. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them.
单选题 This passage tells us that those who are always dissatisfied with the situation they are in will live______.
  • A. a happy life
  • B. a miserable life
  • C. a wealthier life than those who are always satisfied
  • D. a life full of imagination
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 文章讲述了两类生活状况相似的人,但生活观不同的人的区别。不满现状的人生活得很不幸。故选B。
单选题 In the second paragraph, the expression "sour the pleasures of society" means______.
  • A. make the pleasures of society disappear
  • B. do not enjoy the pleasures of society
  • C. deny the existence of the pleasures of society
  • D. criticize the society because of its lack of pleasures
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 从上文可知,幸福的人“enjoy all the cheerful things”;根据推理,不幸福的人应该是不会享受愉快的生活。这道题也是根据上下文的逻辑关系进行推测,得出词义。正确答案是B。
单选题 The unhappy people's bad habit of viewing things may be cured______.
  • A. when they are aware of its adverse consequences in their life
  • B. if they can imitate the happy people
  • C. if they can have more imagination
  • D. when they can form the habit of arguing with others
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 文章第二段倒数第二句话指出,这种悲观的做事习惯可以被治愈,前提是只有他们认识到其消极作用。只有A符合题意。
单选题 The author advises other people to______.
  • A. avoid any contact with the unhappy people if they won't get rid of their bad habits
  • B. keep in touch with the unhappy people even if they won't get rid of their bad habits
  • C. be more sympathetic with the unhappy people
  • D. be more helpful to the unhappy people
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 文章最后一句话是本题的答案:“If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them.”故选A。
单选题 We can infer from the passage that a positive attitude towards life may bring______.
  • A. success
  • B. good habits
  • C. friendship
  • D. happiness
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 全文讲了生活背景相似但生活状况不同的两类人。悲观的人会不幸,而生活态度积极的人会幸福。可见生活的态度与一个人是否幸福息息相关。故选D。