单选题 How do you understand the word “cornerstone” in Paragraph 3 (Line 1)?

案例分析        I once know a little boy. When he was seven years old, this boy made a mistake that left a deep impression on him. He walked into a drugstore and tried to steal some penny candy but failed. Instead of being reported to the police, he was made to go home and tell his parents what he had done. This task was the most difficult he had ever faced. He had a fleeting thought of breaking his arm on purpose, of running in front of a car, of doing anything that would relieve him of the dreadful conversation which took place later. The boy’s father had one immediate reaction: “My son is a criminal.” Those words cut to the heart. They were terrible, but they were true: seven years old — a criminal. But the boy’s weeping mother took only a few seconds to respond to that verdict: “My son is not a criminal; he is going to be a preacher.”

       I was that boy, and my mother’s response was a lesson in love. My father loved me too, loved me enough to say what was true. I had done something that, at that moment, defined me as a thief. But he did not say the whole truth. My mother saw the possibility in me, and saw what I could do, and not just what I had done. Now it turns out that both of them were wrong, as I became neither a preacher nor a criminal, but a professor, but the way that my mother loved me then taught me much about how to love myself.

       How lucky it would be if there were a person who always saw the possibilities in you, who always forgave you for what you are and who constantly, sympathetically challenged you to become what you should be. Such a person may enable you to discover the power of love, and realize the truth of the claim that only the loved can love.

案例分析

       There are many Natural Wonders on our planet. They include several of the most beautiful places in the world like mountains, forests, waterfalls, lakes, canyons, and caves. We don’t have time to visit all of them, but here are a few examples.

       In the southeastern mountains of Venezuela, water falls from the top of Devil’s Mountain into Devil’s Canyon far below. The water falls from a height of nine hundred seventy-nine meters. It begins to fall in a tightly controlled stream but ends in a beautiful white cloud of mist. 

       Known as Angel Falls, it is the highest waterfall in the world. An American pilot named Jimmy Angel saw the waterfall for the first time in 1933 while flying alone in a small airplane. Years later the waterfall was named after him. His airplane is still on display and considered a national treasure.

       A small airplane is still the best way to see the falls, although a four-and-a-half-hour boat ride and walk through the jungle allows you to see the falls from below.

       There is another spectacular mountain. In fact, it is one of the most photographed mountains in the world. It is Mount Fuji, a sleeping volcano about three thousand seven hundred meters high in Japan. The Japanese call it Fujisan. Since ancient times, they have considered it a holy mountain, even reproducing its image on their currency.

       Mount Fuji is an almost perfectly shaped volcano with bright white snow caps covering the mountaintop most of the year. On a clear day people can see it from both the major cities of Tokyo and Yokohama. The easiest way to see the famous mountain is riding the train from Tokyo to Osaka or climbing the mountain to get an even better look. 

       Not all wonders are mountains of course. In 1540, Spanish explorer Garcia Lopez de Cardenas was exploring the American southwestern desert. His exploration team had been traveling north from Mexico when their exploration was stopped. They could not continue because of an enormous hole in the ground.

       Most of the canyon was more than one thousand two hundred meters deep and more than three hundred kilometers long. This huge deep canyon extended as far as the explorers could see. The sunlight made deep shadows and combined with the movement of the clouds to change the shape and color of things.

       Now known as the Grand Canyon, it is one of the most studied natural areas in the world. The Colorado River, which sits at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, took several million years to cut through the hardened rock.

       Visitors today do not have a problem reaching the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the great Colorado River. Many people take long exciting trips in rubber boats.

The final example is not something above ground. It is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It extends more than two thousand kilometers along Australia’s northeast coast and is the largest group of coral reefs in the world. 

       A reef is usually under water or just above it and is formed from the hardened remains of dead sea animals. The reef contains billions of brightly colored microscopic creatures and also supports many different kinds of fish, birds, and mammals. 

       Millions of visitors from around the world come every year to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. Some use glass bottom boats so they can see the fish and the colorful coral while others choose to swim among the fish.

       Scientists believe the Great Barrier Reef is about thirty million years old, and their concern persuaded the Australian government to take the necessary steps to legally protect it. Now the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. 

       There are many more natural wonders all across the globe, and they are easy to visit if you have a computer. If your computer can connect to the Internet, you too can enjoy these beautiful sights. Have fun exploring.

案例分析

      Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbors, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity（长寿）boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers（鳏夫）were at a much higher risk of dying than people who were married. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death, whether illness, accident or self-harm.

　　Even if the odds（几率）are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate（补偿）. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced（离婚的）man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s（配偶）death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favor marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects.

　　So how does it work? The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological （生理的）mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune（免疫的）system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner.

　　A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: “People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected.”

案例分析

        A former teacher, Acharya Ray, who in his days used so much to influence the minds of young men, was never tired of reminding them, “Every Englishman rides a hobby-horse”. He wanted to teach us the very great need of having a hobby in life. A hobby is something that we pursue not for profit but for pleasure.

        Stamp collecting is a great hobby. Some pursue photography; it is more expensive but very pleasant. Some go out fishing; it is the hobby of the thoughtful man. To sit near a bank or lake with the rod and line in hand, lost in a dream of catching a big fish, nothing can be more pleasant than this. Others again devote their spare hours to the arts and crafts, painting, shaping or gardening, based on their feelings at the time. These are creative hobbies. Abanindranath Tagore, a famous Indian artist, took a hobbyist’s pleasure in turning useless knick-knacks into pretty toys. In his old age, painting was Tagore’s great hobby. Ghandi’s hobby was charka; it brought peace to his mind and helped set an example for the people.

        We in India have very few hobbies. Talking about our friends and neighbours is one of the few things that give us pleasure. Hobbies are necessary for mental relaxation. The more pressure we face, the greater will be the longing for some refreshing hobby. After a day’s hard work, it is a real treat to focus on something interesting but not necessary, to do something without the fear of failure. A man should feel lucky to have a means of escaping from the daily routine of eating, sleeping, and working.

        Those choices are many. One must select a hobby that he finds enjoyable. How often have we gotten angry at a neighbour who has adopted music as a hobby? That neighbour forces others to listen to their unprofessional musical performances. A hobby is very personal; it is quite possible that to others it will not appear pleasant at all. The truth is that one must not allow their hobby to negatively affect those close to them. One should be careful not to select a hobby that is too expensive. For them it will become a burden. Even hobbies should have some social aim. They should be creative. A purely personal hobby may promote selfishness and a feeling of aloneness. Last of all, one should not try to make a hobby his profession. You might call that man fortunate who can earn from his hobby. But in that case his hobby will not prove as interesting.

        A hobbyist’s joy is known only to himself. It fills his free time. It may draw around him a circle of friends who share the same hobby. It gives one that indescribable joy, the joy of personal satisfaction. Another joy it gives is equally pleasant, the joy of forgetting personal cares and world problems. It is an escape from the boredom of one’s daily life.

        An important thing to guard against is that a hobby must never become an obsession or a passion. When a man can no longer control himself, it may make him unmindful of his duties or responsibilities. It is as bad as drinking or gambling. Hobbies are meant to add something beautiful and special to our daily routine; they must never become like a drug. Remember that a hobby is a walking stick, not a crutch to lean on.

案例分析         I have three grandsons. Two are teens and one a pre-teen. As each is forming his individual opinions on how the world works, I am constantly reminded of the phrase, “Boys will be boys.” This is a ready excuse for bad behavior — an excuse that many grown-ups accept as valid. It allows boys, as well as men, to behave in inappropriate ways and claim that it can’t be helped. After all, advocates （拥护者） hold that males are subjected to impulses that are beyond their control.

        What ballyhoo（夸大其词）！I think better of my brothers and grandsons than that. Boys need to be raised responsibly with respect for themselves and others. This “boy will be boys” attitude is immature and discourages boys from any introspection（内省）into their inner selves.

        Accepting invalid excuses for boys’ behavior can be life-threatening. Take the example of young men with brand new driving licenses racing their cars on city streets. Too many times, we have lost teens to fatal car crashes that could have been avoided had the drivers been practicing safe driving rules.

        Teen violence is evident in schools and entertainment places where teens gather. Their parents and their peers often tell boys of all ages to stand up for themselves even if it means violence. I can’t tell you how many times, as a teacher, I have heard parents say, “If he hits you, you hit him back.” This world-view of being a man through violence must stop. It is not inevitable that boys must fight to gain respect. Teenage boys need to learn ways to resolve conflict. Conflict can be solved in peaceful ways through peer mediation（调解）that results in longer-lasting solutions. It requires acceptance of responsibility for one’s own behavior, a lesson that stands up well over time.

        A “boys will be boys” attitude is outdated in today’s world. We need males who care about themselves and others, who aren’t afraid to show their emotions, and who value equality for all people.

案例分析

       Take a look in your closet or clothes drawer. Do you see a pair of jeans? You probably do. The average American owns about seven pairs. You may be wearing a pair right now. Or you might have a jean jacket, shirt, or a pair of denim shoes. Jeans are so common that you may have wondered what the real story is behind their success.  

       Jeans were invented by a German man named Levis Strauss. He went to the U.S. in 1847 and followed the Gold Rush to San Francisco. He carried many kinds of fabric to sell to dry goods stores. Business was booming in California during the Gold Rush. Levi quickly became a successful businessman. 

       The miners in California had a problem with their pants. When they found gold they carried it in their pockets. But the metal was heavy, and the pockets ripped. In 1873, Levi became partners with a tailor named Jacob Davis. Jacob and Levi made new jeans, tough enough for miners, and they quickly became popular. 

       Levi’s jeans were work pants. Male workers wore them all the time. But a gentleman wouldn’t think of wearing jeans. Women didn’t wear pants at all. But this changed when Western movies became popular. All the cowboys wore jeans. People thought the cowboys looked tough and cool, but jeans still weren’t proper for places like school, stores or offices. 

       During World War II, off-duty U.S. soldiers wore jeans. They made jeans seem like tough, casual American pants. They became a symbol of America in many other countries. 

Back in the U.S., fashions changed. Movie stars wore jeans in their films. Teenagers everywhere loved them. Some schools banned jeans because of their “rebel” image. But casual clothing, including jeans, became popular for more and more occasions. 

       Eventually, jeans were so common that it became okay for anyone to wear them. You can even find pictures of the president wearing jeans.

       In the 1980s, clothing designers made new styles. They bleached, decorated, and stonewashed (wore out) jeans. They made them baggy, stretchy, and flared. In 2000, the Italian designer Gucci sold a pair of jeans for $3,715.00.

案例分析          Imagine that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. One day long ago the Martians, looking through their telescopes, discovered the Venusians. Just glimpsing the Venusians awakened feelings they had never known. 

         They fell in love and quickly invented space travel and flew to Venus.

The Venusians welcomed the Martians with open arms. They had always known that this day would come. Their hearts opened wide to a love they had never felt before.

         The love between the Venusians and Martians was magical. They delighted in being together, doing things together, and sharing together. Though from different worlds, they reveled in their differences. They spent months learning about each other, exploring and appreciating their different needs, preferences, and behavior patterns. For years they lived together in love and harmony.

         Then they decided to fly to Earth. In the beginning everything was wonderful and beautiful. But the effects of Earth’s atmosphere took hold, and one morning everyone woke up unable to remember how they had gotten there!

Both the Martians and Venusians forgot that they were from different planets and were supposed to be different. In one morning, everything they had learned about their differences was erased from their memory. And since that day men and women have been in conflict. 

         Life on Mars and life on Venus are very different but it is necessary to recognize and respect these differences so that we can better understand each other and reduce confusion when dealing with the opposite sex. 

         Life on Mars

         Martians value power, skill, efficiency, and achievement. They are always doing things to prove themselves and develop their power and skills. Their sense of self is defined through their ability to achieve results. They experience fulfillment primarily through success and accomplishment.

         Everything on Mars is a reflection of these values. Even their dress is designed to reflect their skills and competence. Police officers, soldiers, businessmen, scientists, cab drivers, technicians, and chefs all wear uniforms or at least hats to reflect their competence and power.

         They don’t read magazines like Psychology Today, Self, or People. They are more concerned with outdoor activities, like hunting, fishing, and racing cars. They are interested in the news, weather, and sports and couldn’t care less about romance novels and self help books.

         Even today on Earth, while women fantasize about romance, men fantasize about powerful cars, faster computers, gadgets, and new more powerful technology. Men are always focused on “things” that can help them express power by creating results and achieving their goals.

         Life on Venus

         Venusians have different values. They value love, communication, beauty, and relationships. They spend a lot of time supporting, helping, and caring for one another. Their sense of self is defined through their feelings and the quality of their relationships. 

         They experience fulfillment through sharing and relating.

         Everything on Venus reflects these values. Rather than building highways and tall buildings, the Venusians are more concerned with living together in harmony, community, and loving cooperation. Relationships are more important than work and technology. In most ways their world is the opposite of Mars.

         They do not wear uniforms like the Martians to reveal their competence. On the contrary, they enjoy wearing a different outfit every day, according to how they are feeling. Personal expression, especially of their feelings, is very important. They may even change outfits several times a day as their mood changes.

         Communication is of primary importance. To share their personal feelings is much more important than achieving goals and success. Talking and relating to one another is a source of tremendous fulfillment.

Instead of being goal oriented, women are relationship oriented; they are more concerned with expressing their goodness, love, and caring. Two Martians go to lunch to discuss a project or business goal; they have a problem to solve. In addition, Martians view going to a restaurant as an efficient way to approach food: no shopping, no cooking, and no washing dishes. For Venusians, going to lunch is an opportunity to build a relationship, both giving support to and receiving support from a friend. Women’s restaurant talk can be very open and intimate, almost like the dialogue that occurs between therapist and patient.

         Remember Our Differences

         Without the awareness that we are supposed to be different, men and women are at odds with each other. We usually become angry or frustrated with the opposite sex because we have forgotten this important truth. We expect the opposite sex to be more like ourselves.

         Men mistakenly expect women to think, communicate, and react the way men do; women mistakenly expect men to feel, communicate, and respond the way women do. We have forgotten that men and women are supposed to be different. As a result our relationships are filled with unnecessary friction and conflict.

         Next time you are frustrated with the opposite sex, remember men are from Mars and women are from Venus. If you remember that we are supposed to be different, you can create the loving relationships you want, need, and deserve.

案例分析       A friend once invited me to spend a cold winter’s day picking up trash in a park. I immediately told her I was not interested. 

      I argued that if the goal was neighborhood beautification, then I would rather donate three hours’ worth of my labor income. The organization could then hire several people in need of a job. The trash gets picked up, we provide jobs, and I do not have to spend three hours in the cold. “Where can I make a donation?” 

My friend sighed, mumbled something about it seeming like a good way to meet men, and then walked off to ask someone else. 

      When we feel inspired to do good, many of us choose to give time instead of money. Given how precious our time is — filled with work, family, and friends — using even a little to clean parks or deliver meals seems like a huge donation. But is this the most efficient way to give? 

      The economist in me is inclined to say no. As I explained to my friend, what my time is worth may be far more valuable to most charities than my actual labor. The money could go towards hiring people with limited employment opportunities, or covering more immediate needs, such as rent or staff salaries. My hours of labor, on the other hand, serve the charity in only one way, and can only be provided by me. 

      Volunteer labor becomes more valuable if it involves a special skill. Unfortunately, I can think of few local charities that would benefit from the unique skills of an economist. 

      I recently explained this to a professional who regularly donates his time to a local soup kitchen. But he argued that “just throwing money at a cause” is potentially irresponsible and allows people to forget about the problem. Donating time may be a greater personal sacrifice, but it also gives him a stronger connection with the cause. 

      Of course charities benefit from both kinds of donations. They need some people to just hand over cash, but they also thrive by being an important part of the community. If the objective is simply to provide food for the hungry or to clean a park, then money is more valuable. However, if you hope to also engage with your community — not only with your peers, but also with less fortunate people whom you might not otherwise encounter — no amount of money can compensate for your time spent. To sum up, whether it is better to give money or time depends on your goals as a donor.