"Did you hear what happened to Adam last Friday?" Lindsey whispers to Tori. With her eyes shining, Tori brags, "You bet I did. Sean told me two days ago." What are Lindsey and Tori talking about? It just happens to be yours truly, Adam Freedman. I can tell you that what they are saying is (a) not nice and (b) not even true. Still, Lindsey and Tori aren't very different from most students here at Linton High School, including me. Many of our conversations are gossip . I have noticed three effects of gossip: it can hurt people, it can give gossipers a strange kind of satisfaction, and it can cause social pressures in a group. An important negative effect of gossip is that it can hurt the person being talked about. Usually, gossip spreads information about a topic--breakups, troubles at home, even dropping out--that a person would rather keep secret. The more embarrassing or shameful the secret is, the juicer the gossip it makes. Probably the worst type of gossip is the absolute lie. People often think of gossipers as harmless, bur cruel lies can cause pain. If we know that gossip can be harmful, then why do so many of us do it? The answer lies in another effect of gossip: the satisfaction it gives us. Sharing the latest rumor can make a person feel important because he or she knows something that others don't. Similarly, hearing the latest rumor can make a person feel like part of the "in group". In other words, gossip is satisfying because it gives people a sense of belonging or even superiority . Gossip can also have a third effect: it strengthens unwritten, unspoken rules about how people should act. Professor David Wilson explains that gossip is important in policing behaviors in a group. Translated into high school terms, this means that if everybody you hang around with is laughing at what John wore or what Jane said, then you can bet that wearing or saying something similar will get you the same kind of negative attention. The do's and don'ts conveyed through gossip will never show up in any student... What advice does the author give in the passage? A) Never become a gossiper. B) Stay away from gossipers. C) Don't let gossip turn into lies. D) Think twice before you gossip.
D
When I lived in Spain,some Spanish friends of mine decided to visit England by car,before they left,they asked me about how to find accommodation .I suggested that they should stay at "bed and breakfast" houses,because this kind of accommodation gives a foreign visitor a good chance to speak English with the family.My friends listened to my advice,but they came back with some funny stories. "We didn't stay at bed and breakfast houses,"they said."Because we found that most families were away on holiday." I thought this was strange.Finally I understood what had happened My friends spoke little English,and they thought "VACANCIES" meant "holidays" because Spanish word for "holiday" is "vacaciones".So they did not go to houses where the sign outside said "VACANCIES",which in English meant there are free rooms.Then my friends went to houses where the sign said "NO VACANCIES",because they thought this meant the people who owned the house were not away on holiday.But they found that these houses were all full.As a result,they stayed at hotels! We laughed about this and about mistakes my friends made in reading other signs.In Spanish,a word very similar to "DIVERSION" means fun.In English it means that workman is repairing the road,and that you must take a different road when my friends saw the word "DIVERSION" on a road sign,they thought they were going to have fun.Instead, the road ended in a large hole. English people have problems too when they learn foreign languages.Once in Paris,when someone offered me some more coffee,I said "Thank you" in French.I meant that I would like some more.However,to my surprise the coffee pot was taken away! Later I found out that "Thank you" in French means "No,thank you". "No vacancies" in English means _ . A) no free rooms B) free rooms C) not away on holiday D) holidays
A
Q: What is "Dads Make a Difference"? A service-learning opportunity for teens that deals with fatherhood, parenting, and so on. Older teens, grades 10--12, teach younger teens, grades 6--9, about the importance of fathers in children's lives, the legal and financial responsibilities of parenting. Teen teacher training goals & objectives The goal of the teen teacher training is to better understand the complex problems surrounding legal fatherhood in our society. By discussing what makes healthy families, explaining the meaning of paternity , and examining the risks people take in their lives, teens will develop the skills needed to make informed decisions in their own relationships and, finally, teach this information to others. What's in it for me? An opportunity to: Learn life skills like communication, decision making, and problem solving. Get the chance to use knowledge in meaningful and effective ways. Develop leadership, planning, teamwork, time management, and organizational skills to help you in every aspect of your life. Forming lasting relationships with adult mentors . Comments from teen teachers " 'Dads Make a Difference' made me realize how permanent and expensive parenthood is." "Speaking in form of groups and directing people in activities, I feel, is a valuable skill to have that I will use throughout my life." "I wish I would have gone through this program when I was in Junior High. I know it would have helped me to really think about the future and to make good decisions." " 'Dads Make a Difference' has helped me to know the effects of my actions before I take them and I know what risks not to take to protect my future." "Dads Make a Difference" can _ . A) provide teens a chance to be a teacher in Junior High B) help teens learn more about parents C) help teens develop their life skills D) advise teens how to avoid risks in life
A: C
Q: Most people say "yes" much more readily than "no". A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some help, and you agree. But, what you really wanted was a couple of quiet days relaxing at home. Or a roommate spends the entire weekends playing video games and wants to borrow your homework for "reference". You say "yes". Many people say "yes" to these kinds of requests. They tend not to consider their own interests and feelings, and are often angry with themselves afterwards . Saying "no" requires courage and considerable practice, in fact, according to psychologists. "Everyone wants to be liked," says Gabriele Steinki, a German psychologist. "Saying 'no' risks losing the affection of the person asking the favor or even a job." The result is that many people say "yes" just for keeping the peace. But experts say this is regrettable. Anyone should have the right to say "no". In fact, rejecting a request can even help to strengthen a relationship because it expresses a true feeling. But, for people used to agreeing to every request, changing can be a long and uncomfortable learning process. Most people believe that "If I say 'no', I'll lose the affection of the person. But the affection is important to me." This way of thinking can be replaced by this: "If he only likes me because I always do what suits him , the price of his affection is too high in the long term." Steinki says the key is talking to the other person to find a mutual solution. "One needs to present the situation from one's own point of view, and to suggest how the situation can be dealt with to the advantage of both parties. The other person must have the feeling that his interests are being considered." When the refusal is not accepted, Steinki advises us to give the reasons calmly again until the person gets the message . According to the writer, what should you do if your refusal is not accepted? A) Say yes to him. B) Repeat your reason for his acceptance C) Just go away D) Say no to him
A: B