1 Let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m 35 years old, male, single, never been married. I work as an editor at a publishing company. Some of you may think that I’m a loser: an unmarried adult with not much money. But I honestly don’t care about things like that any more. The reason is very simple: I’m perfectly happy just as I am.2 The reason? I got rid of most of my material possessions.3 Minimalism is a lifestyle in which you reduce your possessions to the least possible. Living with only the bare essentials has not only provided superficial benefits such as the pleasure of a tidy room or the simple ease of cleaning, but it has also led to a more fundamental shift. It has given me a chance to think about what it really means to be happy.4 So I said goodbye to a lot of things, many of which I’d had for years. And yet now I live each day with a happier spirit. I feel more content now than I ever did in the past.5 I wasn’t always a minimalist. I used to buy a lot of things, believing that all those possessions would increase my self-worth and lead to a happier life. At the same time, though, I was always comparing myself with other people who had more or better things, which often made me miserable. I couldn’t focus on anything, and I was always wasting time.6 On a usual day, there were books stacked everywhere in my apartment because there wasn’t enough room on my bookshelves. Most I had thumbed through once or twice, thinking that I would read them when I had time.7 The closet was crammed with what used to be my favorite clothes, most of which I’d only worn a few times. The room was filled with all the things I’d taken up as hobbies and then gotten tired of. There were some conversational English workbooks I’d planned to study once I had more free time.8 But by having fewer things around, I’ve started feeling happier each day. I’m slowly beginning to understand what happiness is.9 After what I’ve been through, I think saying goodbye to your things is more than an exercise in tidying up. I think it’s an exercise in learning about true happiness.10 Maybe that sounds grandiose. But I seriously think it’s true.

2021-04-14

1 Let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m 35 years old, male, single, never been married. I work as an editor at a publishing company. Some of you may think that I’m a loser: an unmarried adult with not much money. But I honestly don’t care about things like that any more. The reason is very simple: I’m perfectly happy just as I am.2 The reason? I got rid of most of my material possessions.3 Minimalism is a lifestyle in which you reduce your possessions to the least possible. Living with only the bare essentials has not only provided superficial benefits such as the pleasure of a tidy room or the simple ease of cleaning, but it has also led to a more fundamental shift. It has given me a chance to think about what it really means to be happy.4 So I said goodbye to a lot of things, many of which I’d had for years. And yet now I live each day with a happier spirit. I feel more content now than I ever did in the past.5 I wasn’t always a minimalist. I used to buy a lot of things, believing that all those possessions would increase my self-worth and lead to a happier life. At the same time, though, I was always comparing myself with other people who had more or better things, which often made me miserable. I couldn’t focus on anything, and I was always wasting time.6 On a usual day, there were books stacked everywhere in my apartment because there wasn’t enough room on my bookshelves. Most I had thumbed through once or twice, thinking that I would read them when I had time.7 The closet was crammed with what used to be my favorite clothes, most of which I’d only worn a few times. The room was filled with all the things I’d taken up as hobbies and then gotten tired of. There were some conversational English workbooks I’d planned to study once I had more free time.8 But by having fewer things around, I’ve started feeling happier each day. I’m slowly beginning to understand what happiness is.9 After what I’ve been through, I think saying goodbye to your things is more than an exercise in tidying up. I think it’s an exercise in learning about true happiness.10 Maybe that sounds grandiose. But I seriously think it’s true.

答案：

buycomparenotfewerhappierhappiness

举一反三

内容

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5 Complete the sentences with suitable words or phrases. ► I get very irritable if I don’t sleep well. 1 These days I often have a ____ after lunch; it’s almost become a ____. 2 After a relaxing bath and a hot drink, I always sleep ____ ____ ____. 3 I never sleep more than three hours a night – I ____ ____ insomnia. 4 I had too much to eat and drink last night, and I had a very ____ night. 5 I didn’t sleep well last night because I’ve got a lot of things on my ____. 6 Nothing ____ me at night – I’m a very ____ sleeper. 7 I was absolutely ____ last night and I slept for ten hours. 8 I’m afraid I’m a bit irritable at the moment. I’m suffering from a ____ of sleep.
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I am a _____. So I don’t have to share my things with other children. A: only child B: think about C: number D: times
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二、口语表达题（共2题，第1题20分，第2题40分，共60分） 1.朗读下列单词，并录制音频:（只读单词一遍，不读序号） (1) Tempt (2) Opposite (3)Glimpse (4)Beyond (5)Handsome (6)Amazingly (7)Glance (8)Chat (9)Assignment (10)Pound 2. 朗读下列段落，并录制音频:（读段落一遍） Let me tell you a bit about myself.I’m 35 years old, male, single, never been married. I work as an editor at a publishing company. Some of you may think that I am a loser: an unmarried adult with not much money. But I honestly don’t care about things like that any more. The reason is very simple: I’m perfectly happy just as I am.
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__________ I had the money, I would think of all the other things I could spend it on. A: As if B: Even if C: Because D: As though
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中国大学MOOC: Dear Mom,Thanks for having me over last weekend to continue our discussion. I think we are close to an understanding, but I’m still a bit discouraged by your response. Even though you didn’t come right out and say it, you let me know just how you feel. I know how much you want me to be an independent adult, living on my own. I’m working toward this goal but need to move home for a while. It seems that Dad and Sheila welcome the idea, but I have to convince you. So here goes.First, you still need a lot of help around the house, and you know me: Housework is my favorite pastime. Dad and Sheila are such slobs, and you spend a lot of time cleaning up after them that you could be using for something more interesting. What about that drawing class you always talk about? Take it! Let me keep house! I might even be able to teach Dad and Sis to pick up after themselves for a change.Second, since I got my new job, I can help with the budget. I won’t be paying $850 a month to rent an apartment, so I’d be glad to give half that amount to you and Dad as rent. I could also buy my own food or give you a percentage toward your grocery bill. If I do contribute in these ways, I could still save close to $600 every month so that I can start college in the fall of next year. Since your house is close to my job, I could walk to work and save the gas money, which is killing me right now.Third, I don’t have a boyfriend anymore, and furthermore, I don’t want one for a long time to come. You won’t have to worry about my relationships this year. As I told you this weekend, I need to get serious about my future and get ready to go to school.Despite these huge advantages, I know you’ll say the same old thing: “Lisa, you’re 34. When are you going to settle down on your own and stop moving back home? This is the sixth time in 10 years.” The point, Mom, is that this time I’m preparing for the future. I think I’m finally growing up and realizing what it takes. This will be the last time—I promise. Just think: When I go off to college, Sheila will be a high school graduate, and we can go to school together. You and Dad will finally be empty nesters. Won’t that be fun? Please give it some more thought, Mom. How can you say no?Love,Lisa