Given that motivation is so central to our lives, what do we truly understand about how it operates and about its role in our lives? The assumption is that it’s driven by a positive, external (外部的）reward. Do this, get that. But the story is much more complex.

One of the most striking aspects of motivation is that it often drives us to achievements that are difficult, challenging and even painful. You may think that you would be happy to spend all your time sitting on a white-sand beach drinking and that as long as you get to fill your days this way, you would be happy forever. But while a few days of enjoyment might be fun from time to time, I can’t imagine that you would be satisfied by spending your days, weeks, months, years and even your life this way.

Research that examines the differences between meaning and happiness finds that the things which give us a sense of meaning don’t necessarily make us happy. Moreover, people who report having meaningful lives are often more interested in doing things for others, while those who focus mostly on doing things for themselves report being only superficially happy, in other words, just externally and apparently delighted. The essential quality of “meaning” has to do with having a sense of being involved in something bigger than the self.

We all know people obtain a great sense of meaning even in the most unpleasant of circumstances. Many volunteers spend portions of their lives working in dangerous, war-tom areas, tiding to keep disease and death from innocent civilians or teaching orphans to read. Their pain is real; their sense of doing something truly meaningful is substantial (豐富的).They show how our deep-rooted desire to believe that our lives have purpose beyond our lifespan drives us to work extra hard, even to the point of our own personal suffering, in order to gain more meaning.

The point is that these seemingly unusual and irrational (不合理的）motivations get us to do things that are complex, difficult and unpleasant. But they go beyond helping people in need. They motivate us in every aspect of our lives 一 whether in our personal relationships, in our individual pursuits or in the workplace.

1.What’s the main idea of the passage? (No more than 10 words)

2.Why is motivation so significant to our life? (No more than 15 words)

3.What is the meaning of the underlined word “superficially” in Paragraph 3? (No more than 1 word)

4.What can volunteers obtain working in dangerous, war-tom areas? (No more than 10 words)

5.Do you agree with the opinion that motivation is driven by a positive, external reward? Why or why not? (No more than 20 words)

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科目：高中英語 來源：廣東省廣州市2017屆英語高考沖刺題（一） 題型：閱讀理解

By age 25 John D. Rockefeller controlled one of the largest oil companies in America. By age 31 he had become the world’s largest oil producer. By age 38 he commanded 90% of the oil produced in the U.S. By the time of his retirement at age 58, he was the richest man in the country. By the time he died, he had become the richest man in the world.

But there was little in Rockefeller’s upbringing that would signal his great success. He was born in a run-down house in New York in 1839. His mother was a solid, religious woman, but his father, William Avery Rockefeller, was little more than a dishonest salesman, unable to provide for his family.

Young John grew up helping work the family farm. But he had his eyes set on greater things, and earnestly desired to rise in the world.

He had a talent for numbers, and he dropped out of high school to become better acquainted with their management. Enrolling in a 3-month business course at a commercial college, he learned the basics of book-keeping and banking.

After graduating at the age of 16, Rockefeller left his rural home to look for a job in Cleveland. As Rockefeller remembered, the job market was tight, and the response was not encouraging: “No one wanted a boy, and very few showed any interest in me.” Yet young John was not at all discouraged.

From morning until later afternoon, six days a week, for six weeks — sweating through Cleveland’s hot summer, walking its streets until his feet ached — Rockefeller continued to seek a job. He attacked this goal with patient persistence. Finally, on September 26, 1855, he heard the words he’d been waiting for: “We’ll give you a chance.” Ever after, Rockefeller referred to this date as “Job Day” and celebrated its anniversary with more passion than his own birthday, for this was the great turning point in his life. Through singular focus on a goal, and patient persistence, he had obtained a toehold in the world of business.

1.What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A. To explain why Rockefeller was so successful.

B. To attract the readers with facts about Rockefeller.

C. To entertain the readers with some stories of Rockefeller.

D. To inform the readers of the road for Rockefeller’s success.

2.Which of the following mainly contributed to Rockefeller’s success?

A. Family upbringing. B. His talent for numbers.

C. His persistence and determination. D. Training at a commercial college.

3.What happened to Rockefeller before he got his first job?

A. He had an eye problem.

B. He was turned down for many times.

C. He dropped out of his commercial college.

D. He was forced to go home by the tight market.

4.Why did he choose to celebrate the “Job Day”?

A. It changed his whole life. B. It was close to his birthday.

C. It was the hardest day in his life. D. It was the day he got his first job.

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科目：高中英語 來源：寧夏2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期期中考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

My writing career began ten years ago with my articles published locally and nationally. As a beginning writer, I was happy to be on my way, writing and learning as much as I could . With two little kids underfoot, as well as working full-time, it was really difficult to make time for writing, but I managed.

Readers told me they laughed, cried or were inspired by my articles. But they didn't know what was really going on behind the typewriter. I was not a happy mommy, and found it difficult to enjoy the everyday little things in life. In short, I was not a happy person.

I realized I had to make some changes. I started walking every morning. It cleared my head, allowed me time to think, gave me fresh air, and made me feel invigorated (精神煥發(fā)） and healthy. I was eating wisely, and the weight started to go. I started a new job, joined a monthly writing chapter，and was determined to keep up my walking. Finding the balance was sometimes difficult. But I was determined to fit in writing time because it made me happy. Sure I loved to watch the news and have my tea, but that wasn't what made me truly happy.

My own happiness has shown through my family, my job performance and my attitude towards challenging situations. I again have readers telling me the effect my writing has had on them, with some able to get on with their own writing because of my articles.

It was up to me to make it happen—my own happiness. One step at a time-one word at a time. And I did it.

1.What was a big challenge to the author according to the first paragraph?

A. Writing good articles. B. Doing well at work.

C. Finding time to write. D. Taking good care of children.

2.Why did the author start walking every morning?

A. To be physically healthy.

B. To enjoy fresh early morning air.

C. To have more energy for writing.

D. To get back to happiness.

3.What can we know about the author from the text?

A. Her articles had a great effect on readers.

B. She didn't enjoy making changes in her life.

C. She wasn't interested in watching TV news.

D. She couldn't find the balance between work and life.

4.What do you think is the main idea of the story?

A. Practice makes perfect. B. Well begun is half done.

C. Time and tide wait for no man. D. Happiness lies in your own hand.

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科目：高中英語 來源：湖北省2016-2017學(xué)年高二5月階段檢測英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

The Museum: The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world’s most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator. The only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) was opened as a museum in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world. On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian age.

Opening Hours:

The Museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10:00-17:00; Sundays 11:00-17:00.

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

Special opening times can be arranged for groups, who may wish to book a private view.

Admission Charges: Adults:￡5.00; Students:￡4:00; Seniors:￡4.00; Children:￡3.00; Families:￡14.00 (2 adults & up to five children).

Group Rates: For a group of 10 or more, a special group rate of ￡4.00 each applies. Children will still be admitted for ￡3.00 each.

Access: We are constantly working to improve access to the Museum and its collection. Our current projects involve the fitting of a wheelchair ramp (活動(dòng)坡道) for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with impaired vision. Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for the visually impaired. The Museum has developed an online virtual tour through the Museum. Click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online.

Hire the Museum: The Museum can be hired for private functions, parties and many other social occasions.

Find Us: The Museum may be reached by using the following buses: 7, 17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 243. And by these underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line. For a map, please click here. The British Museum and the Foundling Museum are within walking distance.

1.Compared to going there separately, if a family with two adults and four children go to the Museum together they will save .

A. ￡22. 00 B. ￡14. 00

C. ￡11. 00 D. ￡8. 00

2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. Anyone cannot hire the Museum for other uses.

B. Visitors with poor vision cannot enjoy the Museum.

C. The Museum is not very far from the British Museum.

D. In any case people cannot visit the Museum after 17:00.

3.The passage is probably from a .

A. magazine B. website

C. guidebook D. newspaper

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I had a great time this past summer visiting Stone Mountain Park with my twin grandsons.I had the opportunity to spend the day with them seeing the various sights and attractions.One thing that my grandsons had really wanted to do that particular day was to climb to the top of the mountain.Stone Mountain isn't a particularly tall mountain and fortunately has walking trails to the top,but for two 5-year-olds,along with grandpa,it's a formidable task.

Since my grandson's enthusiasm was much greater than mine,I decided to start the slow walk up the mountain. The beginning part of the trail was slow and gradual.It seemed like we were taking forever to climb just a short distance,but I had to remind myself that it took 3 of their steps to equal 1 of mine,so I found myself walking ahead of them,then having to stop and let them catch up,over and over again.

I was tired and sweaty,just wanting to get to the top of the mountain so I could rest well before starting my way back.I learned early on during our walk that this wasn't going to be the case.We had to stop and look at every large rock with someone's name carved in it.We looked at unusual plant formations.We examined large trees and we explored small rock overhangs that reminded the kids of caves.My grandsons viewed the walk as an exciting adventure.Climbing the mountain was a trial to me but my grandsons were not focused at all on the trial of climbing the mountain;they were simply enjoying the journey of the walk.

I know when I face a trial in life,I tend to always think of the problem.I want the trial to be over quickly and let life get back to normal.What can I learn during the course of the trial? At some point,the trial will be over and we'll be joyous for sure.

However,the real joy should not be that the trial's over,but I am celebrating what I learned during the journey.

1.What does the underlined word "formidable" in Paragraph 1 mean?

A. Relaxing. B. Meaningful.

C. Strange. D. Difficult.

2.What can we know from Paragraph 2?

A. The writer kept challenging his grandsons to catch up with him.

B. Old as the writer was,he walked much faster than his grandsons.

C. The writer and his grandsons walked up the mountain very fast at the beginning.

D. The writer was more eager to climb to the top of the mountain than his grandsons.

3.Why did the writer only want to reach the mountain top?

A. To have a good rest. B. To get a better view.

C. To enjoy unusual plants. D. To see large rocks carved with names.

4.What can be the best title of the text?

A. A tiring day spent with grandsons. B. Joy coming from mountain-climbing.

C. A life lesson learnt from grandsons. D. Learning to enjoy the journey.

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科目：高中英語 來源：天津市南開區(qū)2017屆高考三模英語試卷 題型：完形填空

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her three-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new baby. They found out that it was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael _______ to his sister in Mommy’s tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed _______ for Karen. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes ... every minute. But something serious _______ during delivery. Finally, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in serious _______. With siren (警報(bào)) howling in the night, the ambulance _______ the infant (嬰兒）to the Intensive Care Unit at St Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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After two weeks in ICU, it looked as if a funeral would come _______ the week was over. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. “I want to sing to her,” he said. Kids were never _______ in ICU. But Karen made up her mind to take Michael ________ they liked it or not. If he didn’t see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

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“Keep on singing, Michael.”“The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping…” Michael’s little sister relaxed as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

Funeral plans were ________. The next day — the very next day — the little girl was well enough to go home!

The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!

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2.A. quietly B. peacefully C. hopefully D. normally

3.A. arose B. raised C. rose D. aroused

4.A. situation B. place C. condition D. position

5.A. took B. sent C. carried D. rushed

6.A. The years B. The months C. The weeks D. The days

7.A. fixed up B. made up C. built up D. set up

8.A. until B. before C. after D. when

9.A. asked B. allowed C. admitted D. acquired

10.A. no matter B. even if C. whether D. as if

11.A. put B. dressed C. wore D. fit

12.A. marched B. forced C. hid D. followed

13.A. required B. replied C. recognized D. regarded

14.A. warm-hearted B. well-managed C. mild-mannered D. cold-blooded

15.A. firm B. strong C. hard D. tough

16.A. losing B. withdrawing C. quitting D. exiting

17.A. In B. On C. At D. Under

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19.A. calm B. quiet C. slow D. die

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A. how much may it cost

B. no matter how it may cost

C. however much it may cost

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假定你是李華，你的美國筆友David寫信詢問你的假期計(jì)劃，請(qǐng)給他寫封回信，告訴他你想出國旅行，談?wù)撘幌履愕睦碛�，邀�?qǐng)David有時(shí)間來中國。

要點(diǎn)如下：

1. 寫信目的；

2. 出國目的；

3. 邀請(qǐng)David來中國。

注意：

1. 詞數(shù)100左右；

2. 可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié)，以使行文連貫；

3. 開頭和結(jié)尾已給出，不計(jì)入總詞數(shù)。

Dear David,

You asked about my vacation plan in your last letter.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

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——I’d like to walk with you _________ the river bank

——________ you’re happy.

A. as long as; As well as B. as long as; As far as

C. as far as; As long as D. as far as; As well as

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