For many years, I had a belief that my suffering was due to my size. I believed that when the weight disappeared, it would take old wounds, hurts, and rejections with it.

Many weight－conscious people also mistakenly believe that changing our bodies will fix everything. Perhaps our worst mistake is believing that being thin equals being loved，being special, and being cherished. We fantasize（幻想） about what it will be like when we reach the long－awaited goal. We work very hard to realize this dream. Then, at last, we find ourselves there.

But we often gain back what we have lost. Even so, we continue to believe that next time it will be different. Next time, we will keep it off. Next time, being thin will finally fulfill its promise of everlasting happiness, self－worth, and, of course, love.

It took me a long while to realize that there was something more for me to learn about beauty. Beauty standards vary with culture. In Samoa a woman is not considered attractive unless she weighs more than 200 pounds. More importantly, if it’s happiness that we want, why not put our energy there rather than on the size of our body? Why not look inside? Many of us strive hard to change our body, but in vain. We have to find a way to live comfortably inside our body and make friends with and cherish ourselves. When we change our attitudes toward ourselves, the whole world changes.

小题1:The passage tries to highlight the importance of ________.

A．body size

B．attitudes toward life

C．culture difference

D．different beauty standards小题2:What does the word “everything” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．All the problems.

B．All the properties.

C．The whole world.

D．The absolute truth.小题3:What can be inferred about the author?

A．The author is a Samoan.

B．The author succeeded in losing weight.

C．The author has been troubled by her/ his weight.

D．The author probably got wounded in wars or accidents.小题4:According to the author, what is the common view of those who have lost some weight first and gained it back later?

A．They feel angry about the regained weight.

B．They are indifferent to the regained weight.

C．They feel optimistic(乐观的) about future plans on weight control.

D．They think they should give up their future plans on weight control.

Listening to your heart

Do you ever wish you had a road map for living? If only someone could    1    show us a way to go, a direction to take, we wouldn’t feel so    2    of which path to pursue. We think that, with only a little    3    , we’ll surely end up in the right place.

4     on a regular flight from Detroit to Tri-City Airport must have felt a little more than    5     during the flight attendant’s greeting as their flight started. She     6     the passengers and stated that the destination would be Midland. A few concerned passengers   7    her, so the flight attendant, obviously not familiar with the area,     8     herself by saying that they would be     9      in “Tri-City” and Bay City.

Chuckles rippled along the aisle as she    10    tried again. This time she informed passengers that the destination would be Saginaw. Now    11    broke out.

At that point, an authoritative voice came over the intercom (对讲机) and    12     her. “I’m your pilot, folks,” he said. “Don’t    13   — I know where we’re going.”

It’s nice when someone knows the     14    . And there is wisdom in seeking help when necessary. Other people can be valuable.    15     we cannot always depend on others for the    16    answers for living our lives. In the end, nobody can point us to all the best   17    for life’s problems; nobody else can    18    us to the path that is just right for us. We find that way ourselves. We find the way by    19   . Listening to our hearts — for the direction we need is almost always there, deep within.

So if you feel a bit lost, don’t worry. This may be a    20    time to listen. And remember — your pilot knows where you’re going.

1. A. irregularly          B. occasionally        C. practically         D. basically

2. A. proud              B. tired              C. unsure            D. ashamed

3. A. guidance        B. encouragement      C. comfort           D. determination

4. A. Customers          B. Pilots             C. Attendants         D. Passengers

5. A. happy              B. lost               C. nervous           D. excited

6. A. thanked            B. examined           C. welcomed         D. entertained

7. A. reminded           B. informed           C. warned           D. threatened

8. A. relaxed             B. behaved            C. enjoyed          D. corrected

9. A. stopping            B. landing             C. flying           D. traveling

10. A. shyly              B. impatiently          C. bravely          D. actively

11. A. protest            B. complaint           C. argument         D. laughter

12. A. rescued            B. blamed             C. praised           D. defended

13. A. fight              B. worry               C. quarrel           D. concern

13. A. flight              B. skill                C. way              D. problem

15. A. So                 B. And                C. Besides          D. But

16. A. immediate          B. important           C. simple           D. short

17. A. solutions           B. reasons            C. explanations       D. accounts

18. A. direct              B. force              C. forbid            D. tempt

19. A. speaking           B. following           C. listening          D. asking

20. A. hard               B. spare              C. necessary         D. perfect