阅读理解。
There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health
and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes unhappy.
This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and
the resulting effects upon their minds.
People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things. The pleasant
parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine, the fine weather.
They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the
opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the
pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere.
If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be
pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows
into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when
those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning
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 results 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. This frequently
puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages
in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak
a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend
or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrong doings. These should change this bad
habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, with out worrying needlessly about themselves and
others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can
be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their
quarrels.
1. People who are unhappy _____. [ ]
A. always consider things differently from others
B. usually are affected by the results of certain things
C. usually misunderstand what others think or say
D. always discover the unpleasant side of certain things
2. The underlined phrase "sour the pleasure of society" most nearly means "_____". [ ]
A. have a good taste with social life
B. make others unhappy
C. tend to scold others openly
D. enjoy the pleasure of life
3. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage? [ ]
A. Pity all such unhappy people
B. The unhappy are dangerous
C. How to get rid of the habit of unhappiness
D. Try to understand the unhappy
4. If such unhappy persons insist on keeping the habit, the author suggests that people
should _____. [ ]
A. prevent any communication with them
B. show no respect and politeness to them
C. persuade them to recognize the bad effects
D. quarrel with them until they realize the mistakes
5. In this passage, the writer mainly _____. [ ]
A. describes two types of people
B. laughs at the unhappy people
C. suggests ways to help the unhappy
D. tells people how to be happy in life
