Nothing succeeds without a strong will
There is a prevalent joke around young people saying that ‘quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world, and I’ve done it for hundreds of times.’ This seemingly funny statement ironically reflects the fACT that the determination of most youngsters is oftentimes started with enthusiasm, but the passion becomes increasingly weaker each day, and then diminishes as if there has been no such thing at all.
It is obvious that their failure in ‘quitting smoking’ and decline of determination are all ascribed to their lack of will. Initially, every success involves several stages of setbacks and risks, and we need to summon up our will to conquer them. Moreover, there are enormous temptation in our path of pursuit of success. For instance, when we plan to quit smoking, our roommates may smoke freely in front of us; when we are eager to keep fit, our close friends may invite us to have late night snacks. Under these occasions, only strong will can assist us to resist the temptation, and persist in chasing our goals until we triumphantly realize them.
In short, no dream will successfully come true if we do not have strong will. An old famous proverb says that ‘ where there is a will, there is a way’. Let us bear this motton in mind no matter how many thunders and thorns are on our roads ahead, then we will be successful with such precious and powerful spirit.
一、完形部分真题原文《Skills Shortage is Getting Worse, Bosses Warn》
Employers fear they will be unable recruit students with the skills they need as the economic recovery kicks in, a new survey 67.reveals.
Nearly half of organiSATions told researchers they were already struggling to find 68.staffwith skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), 69.while even more companies expect to experience 70.shortages of employees with Stem skills in the next three years.
The Confederation of British Industry and the vocational qualifications body EDI 71.surveyed694 organiSATions across the public and 72.private sectors, which together employ 2.4 million people.
Half are 73.concerned they will not be able to fill graduate posts in the coming years, while a third said they would not be able to 74.recruit enough employees with the right A-level skills.
"75.As we move further into recovery and businesses plan 76.for growth, the demand for people with high-quality skills and qualifications will 77.intensify," said Richard Lambert, director general, CBI.
"In the future, people with qualifications in science and maths will be particularly sought after, and firms say it is already hard to find people with the right 78.technical or engineering skills. The new government must make it a top 79.priorityto encourage more young people to study science-related 80.subjects."
The survey found that young people would improve their job prospects 81.if they studied business studies, maths, English and physics or chemistry at A-level. The A-levels that employers82.rate least are psychology and sociology. And while many employers don't insist on a83.particular deGREe subject, a third prefer to hire those with a Stem-related subject.
The research 84.highlighted worries about the lack of proGREss in improving basic skills in the UK 85.workforce. Half of employers expressed worries about employees' basic literacy and numeracy skills, while the biggest problem is with IT skills, 86.where two-thirds reported concerns.
What is Integrity?
①.The key to integrity is consistency--not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but also living up to those standards each day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptation.
What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We feel disappointed in ourselves and ashamed.But a lapse of integrity also affects our relationships with others. ②.Trust is essential in any important relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals.
Risky Business
We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of charACTer is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we ACTed as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future.
Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. ③.We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the fACTs. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required.④.But the fACT that such a violation is "unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense.
"But Everybody Does It"
Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and fACTs, but manage to fool themselves about the risks they're taking by using excuses: "Everyone else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our ACTions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions.
⑤.To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your ACTions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your ACTions? If you'd rather hide your ACTions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.
Evaluating Risks
To decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive, and to others as well as to yourself. ⑥.Those who take risks they later reGREt usually focus on immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"), and simply haven't considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious, and may include a "0" on a test or assignment; an "F" in the class; Suspension or Dismissal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished reputation. In fACT, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give others the power to impose punishment: you have no control over what that punishment might be. This is an extremely precarious and vulnerable position. There may be some matters of life and death, or highest principle, which might justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category.
Getting Away With It--Or Not
⑦.Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't learn from the test, depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines confidence and independence: the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self-esteem and integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught. Worst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats again, not only because he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems "easier." This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets caught, the worse the consequences. Students have been dismissed from school because they didn't get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy that works.
Cheating Hurts Others, Too
Cheaters often feel invisible, as if their ACTions "don't count" and don't really hurt anyone. But inpidual choices have a profound cumulative effect. Cheating can spread like a disease, and a cheater can encourage others just by being seen from across the room. Recent statistics suggest 30% or more of college students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurts others' grades. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others may feel pressured to join in. ("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those who do.") Cheating also has a destructive impACT on teachers. The real reward of good teaching is seeing students learn, but ⑧.a cheater says, "I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about is stealing a grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a blatant and destructive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt the reputation of the University, and harm those who worked hard for their deGREe.
Why Integrity Matters
If cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. ⑨.We must rely on the honesty and good faith of others every day. If not, we couldn't put money in the bank, buy food, clothing, or medicine from others, drive across a bridge, get on a plane, go to the dentist--the list is endless. There are many examples of the vast harm that is caused when inpiduals forget or ignore the effect their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock market and junk bond swindles, and, of course, ⑩.Watergate, have undermined the faith of many Americans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and society as a whole. Such incidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's economy and our inpidual well-being. For example, but for the savings and loan debacle, there might be funds available to reduce the national debt and pay for education.
In sum, we all have a common stake in our school, our community, and our society. Our ACTions do matter. It is essential that we ACT with integrity in order to build the kind of world in which we want to live.
解析：
1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but also _______.
A) sticks to them in their daily life
B) makes them known to others
C) understands their true values
D)sees that others also follow them
选择 sticks to them in their daily life
定位在原文第一段，文中说正直(integrity)的关键是一致性(consistency)，不仅要有很多道德和伦理的准则，还要每天都坚守。
2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?
A) It helps to create team spirit
B) It facilitates communication
C) It is the basis of mutual trust
D) It inspires mutual respect
选择 It is the basis of mutual trust.
题干问正直在人际关系和事业关系中扮演着什么样的角色。定位回第二段，文中说“信任(trust)在任何关系中都是最根本的 (essential)，而正直正是最重要的目标之一”。
3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take？
A. To ensure we make responsible choices.
B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.
C. so that we don’t break any rules.
D. so that we don’t run into trouble.
选择 To ensure we make responsible choices.
定位回原文第四段标红的句子，答案完全照抄原文。
4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if _______?
A. it has caused no harm.
B. it is claimed to be unintentional.
C. it has gone unnoticed.
D. it is committed with good intentions
选择 it is claimed to be unintentional.
定位至第四段倒数第二句，文中说“无意识的(unintentional)”并不能为这一违背(violation)道德的行为开脱。
5. What should one do if he doesn’t wish to fool himself?
A. Avoid making excuses.
B. Listen to other people’s advice.
C. Make his intensions public.
D. Have others watch over his shoulder.
选择 Avoid making excuses
定位回到第六段段首，watch out for excuses与本答案对应。
6. Those who take risks they reGREt later on _______.
A. will often become more cautious
B. are usually very agGREssive
C. value immediate benefits most.
D. may lose everything in the end
选择 value immediate benefits most
定位回到第七段二句，文章说那些人通常专注于当下的利益，与本答案对应。
7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn’t get caught right away will _______.
A) pay more dearly
B) become more confident
C) be widely admired
D) feel somewhat lucky
选择 pay more dearly
定位点在八段首，看到其他三个选项大概都会笑出来。
8、这题不好找，在倒数第三段中间
Cheaters at exam don’t care about their education, all they care about is how to steal a grade.
本空在原文的成分是表语，故steal是动名词+ing的形式，这里空前的to是动词不定式的标志，因此steal要改为原型，未改写者不得分。
9、倒数二段首句中"rely on"处
Integrity matters in that all social ACTivities rely on people’s honesty and good faith.
10、倒数第二段中间处
Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders as a result of Watergate.
本次快速阅读选择题整体难度偏易，填空题偏难，话题幽默讽刺，意在告诉大家要做一个正直的人，考试不能作弊。（-_-b）
三、选词填空部分—By 季云竹
With the world’s population estimated to grow from six to nine billion by 2050, researchers, businesses and governments are already dealing with the impACT this increase will have on everything from food and water to infrastructure and jobs. Underlying all this (47) will be the demand for energy, which is expected to double over the next 40 years.
Finding the resources to meet this demand in a (48), sustainable way is the cornerstone of our nation’s energy security, and will be one of the major (49) of the 21st century. Alternative forms of energy – bio-fuels, wind and solar, to name a few – are (50) being funded and developed, and will play a growing (51) in the world’s energy supply. But experts say that even when ()52, alternative energy sources will likely meet only about 30% of the world’s needs by 2050.
For example, even with (53) investments, such as $93 million for wind energy development (54) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT, important alternative energy sources such as wind and bio-fuels (55) only about 1% of the market today.
Energy and sustainability experts say the answer to our future energy needs will likely come from a lot of (56) – both traditional and alternative.
首先将15个备选词标上词性：
A. stable (a.) I. exACTly (ad.)
B. solutions (n.) J. consist (v.)
C. significant (a.) K. comprise (v.)
D. role (n.) L. competitions (n.)
E. proGREss (n.) M. combined (v.)
F. marvelous (a.) N. challenges (n.)
G. included (v.) O. certainly (a.)
H. growth (n.)
47、根据this确定此空必然填一单数名词，15词中D/E/H备选，E/H相似，其中必有一个答案，前文所说人口、能源消耗等，均只能用“增长”来指代，而不能说是进步；故选择H.growth，根据相似原则，E和H可以一起划去。
48、本空与后面的sustainable并列，于是需要填一个形容词，与“可持续”的意象相近的选项为A.stable（稳定的）。
49、本空前面为形容词major, 于是这里需要填入名词，之前还有one of，于是填入复数名词，在N与B中选。本句主语是“找寻”某资源，所以这被概括为一种挑战更为恰当，因此选择N.challenges。
50、本空所在句不缺任何成分，并且其还出现在被动语态be动词和实义动词之间，所以必然填入副词，I和O中O.certainly更为符合。
51、空前a growing表明此处填名词，再往前看有个动词play，因此填入D.role构成习语play a role
52、所在半句中除了when只有一个空，所以这空必然是非谓语动词作状语，选择M.combined，表示“即使当所有资源结合被使用时，这些替代资源也只能解决人类在2050年对能源需求的30%。”
53、空后Investments为名词，此处填入形容词，剩下形容词中只有C.significant可表示可观的、大量的，形容投资非常多。F项与其含义接近，根据相似原则，也可以一并划除。
54、本空出现在名词development之后，整句在such as所引导的例子里，本应为一整个名词性结构，而其后又有专有名词ARRA，于是此处应填入非谓语动词作development的后置定语，剩下词中只有G.included这一个。
55、空后有明显语言标志1%，因此这里应该选择表示组成、构成、占有的K.comprise, 根据相似原则，J也可以排除。
56、此处在a lot of之后，因此填入复数名词，整句意为“能源与可持续专家认为，日后能源需求的解决可能将来自于许多传统和替代的_______。”还剩下“解决方式”和“竞争”两个选项；B.solutions更符合语义。
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