Everyone knows that the Frenchmen are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail?

    At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs (企业家) in the UK found that 70% felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. Britain is hostile (敌意的) to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy(嫉妒). {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Jealousy is sometimes known as the “green – eyed monster” and the UK is its home.

    Scientists at War wich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Those given a little were given the chance to destroy the large amount of money given to others – but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . But there is also opposite evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently reported that the UK is now the world's fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either.

    “It is not really success that the British dislike,” says Carey Cooper, a professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. “It's people using their success in a way that seems proud or unfair or which separates them from their roots.”

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were more friendly, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them.

A. This seems to prove that the entrepreneurs were right to complain.

B. The one who owns most money in the end is the winner.

C. As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were “unloved, unwanted and misunderstood.”

D. It is not true that British people are born jealous of others' success.

E. Some were given a little, others a great deal.

F. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them.

G. Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem.

    My father used to be an amateur wrestler (业余摔跤者) and national champion. He was forced by his father to give up the sport in order to obtain gainful employment, which meant he wouldn't be able to win a medal for our country. Therefore, he made a vow that his unborn son would.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    He was about to give up hope when one day, my younger sister Babita and I beat up two boys accidentally in response to critical comments. My dad found our potential to become wrestlers and began coaching us.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} We were required to do physical training early in the morning and have a short haircuts to avoid lice.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}． We would complain about him all the time. Gradually, I realized that he wanted us to have a good future and not grow up to be ordinary housewives. Motivated, we willingly participated in his coaching.

    With great efforts, he made us competitive wrestlers and I won the junior and senior championships, providing me with a chance to gain training in a National Sports Academy, where pride and pain fulfilled my mind.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} As a result, I found myself losing every match at the international level. After that, I tearfully made peace with papa and turned to him for help. Then he coached me patiently.

    Despite difficulty, I finally became the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics, inspiring dozens of Indian women to take to wrestling. Even now, papa's words are still in my mind “Geeta, think about all the girls who are thought to be inferior to boys, girls who are forced to do chores, girls who are married and have children. Not only will you compete with other countries, but also with those who look down upon women!”. I will never forget our father's instruction.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. But his methods were cruel.

B. I almost gave up what papa had taught me.

C. Disappointingly, my mother gave birth to all girls.

D. My sister and I tried to escape.

E. I will always owe all success to him.

F. At first, my sister and I did not understand our father.

G. However, my mother didn't agree with him.

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    There is the belief that, if you arrive at an appointment late, you will be considered important. This is a mistaken view. Being unpunctual, we are not respectful of others ; we are interfering (扰乱)with another man's time. We must realise that keeping appointments or being punctual is a contract that is silently agreed and we are expected to respect this contract. It is only natural that we lose faith, trust and confidence in a person who is tardy(延迟的).

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    To be punctual one has to have self-discipline(自律), and the lack of it affects others. A school boy or girl is unpunctual because he or she does not have the necessary human virtue of self-discipline. It is also a mark of disrespect for a system or an institution. Unpunctual people seldom realise that their habit cause problems to others. A salesman who is not punctual may not make a sale if he arrives late for an appointment. If one is late for a job interview, it is not likely that he will get the job.

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    Being punctual, we can avoid anxiety. Imagine the anxiety if you do not want to be considered unpunctual. You will be anxious if you set out for a dinner late. The person who sets out late might be careless in driving. He will ignore traffic rules. A traffic jam, flat tyres, etc. can delay him further. Happy and calm is the man who takes all these possibilities into consideration and arrives at the appointment either early or on time.

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    Many of those who attend dinners are notorious (声名狼藉的)for unpunctuality. They ignore the appointed time and leave their homes only after the fixed time. They are indifferent to the inconvenience caused to others. If the self-centred guest arrives late, the nine others at the table set for ten will have to wait. The host is put in an unpleasant situation and this man seldom thinks of the inconvenience caused to all -the waiters, the management staff, etc. It is necessary for us to think of others and be considerate to them.

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    However, we cannot always be intolerant (无法容忍的) of tardiness, for ordinary living requires some tolerance. There can be a busy executive who fights to keep to his schedule. Such a person may be forgiven if he is late, but not those who are deliberately late to create impression.

In modern society, punctuality is a necessary virtue. It is a recognition of the importance of other people.

    I was lucky to serve as an RA（宿舍协管员）for two years at Manhattanville College, which has students from more than 50 countries. I talked with a lot of students who had trouble living in a dorm room.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Make your room as YOU as possible.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's your HOME. Show your style. Put up the posters your mom never let you put up at home. Do whatever you can to make your room a comfortable place so you'll feel right at home.

    A clean room is a happy room. Cleanliness is important whether you share a room with one person or seven.   {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Thus, your room will be always clean.

    Snack time is the best time. Some colleges have dining 24 hours a day, while others offer no food after midnight. Have snacks on hand because you'll get hungry during those late-night homework adventures. Try healthy snacks such as fruit and yogurt.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}And remember the Freshman 15 doesn't apply only to freshman.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The key to getting along well with others is communication. If there's a problem, ALWAYS talk it out with your roommate first. If you still have problems after talking, turn to your RA for help.

A. Be open to differences.

B. Don't shout. Talk it out!

C. Here are some survival tips I want to share.

D. It's unfair for only one to clean up all the time.

E. But watch out for Freshman 15—gaining 15 pounds!

F. Make a schedule that can be followed by everyone.

G. Your dorm room isn't just where you sleep or study.

    In the world nothing is more important than health. If people took away our money, houses, cars, or even our clothes, we could still survive. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Then how can we keep healthy?

    First of all, we should eat healthily. I usually avoid eating food high in fat, like French fries or cookies, which are junk food. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I only eat little meat. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It helps us build a strong body. Regular exercise is an important part of keeping me healthy. In addition, I think friends are an important part of one's health. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}I always feel better when I am with friends than when I am alone. When I am with my friends, I always laugh. Laughing is also an important part of health. It is good to stay with my friends.

    By eating properly and exercising regularly, I can keep my body at a proper weight and keep healthy. By spending time with my friends, I can keep my mind as well as my body happy. These things sound easy to do, but not many people can manage them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. But if our health were taken away, we could surely die.

B. Some people appear fat because they often eat too much.

C. I think a strong will is necessary if we want to keep fit.

D. Many studies show that people with few friends often get sick.

E. There are some people who like staying alone, but they keep healthy.

F. What's more, taking exercise is very important.

G. I eat a lot of vegetables and fresh fruits which are full of vitamins.

How You Open Your Car Door Matters to Cyclists

    The "Dutch reach” isn't a new dance move or a random YouTube challenge. It's a simple move that can help prevent harm to cyclists. And you might keep your car door safe in the process, too. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Typically, a person sitting in the driver's seat of a car opens the door with the hand closest to it. It makes sense since doors are designed to be opened that way.  {#blank#}2{#/blank#}But if you happen to do that at the wrong time, you may unknowingly create an obstacle for a passing cyclist. The cyclist might be knocked down off the bike. The car door is likely to be damaged by the fast-moving bicycle.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, the car door design and long-time habits have made the process automatically. Luckily, there's a simple way to solve the problem. Open your car door with your other hand, using the Dutch reach. So instead of using your left hand, reach for the door handle with your right hand. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}At the very least, you'll look into your side view mirror to check for any traffic.

    The Dutch are used to opening their car doors this way. All Dutch are taught it. It's part of regular driver education. The technique dates back about 50 or 60 years in the Netherlands. In 2016 an American named Michael Charney started the Dutch Reach Project. He wanted to popularize the practice in the United States. Charney's efforts may be paying off. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. This will force you to turn your body.

B. Pull the handle and the door is open.

C. It is easy to do once you are used to it.

D. All you have to do is change how you open your door.

E. People are trying to change the way to open the car.

F. Clearly, the solution is for the person exiting the vehicle to check for traffic.

G. Several states now include the Dutch reach in their drivers' handbooks.