自考英语二(新版) 原文 Unit 7 Inner Voice

Unit 7 Inner Voice A Famous Quote: Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. - Henry Franklin Winkler Henry Franklin Winkler (1945- ), American actor, director, producer and author. He has directed and produced several award-winning television series. Text A Your Inner Voice Pre-reading Questions: 1. Do you believe that your inner voice will always lead you down the right path? 2. Have you ever been in a situation in which your inner voice urged you to take action? My day started just like all the other days for the past 15 years where I get up, make some coffee, shower, get dressed and leave for the train station at precisely 7:35 A.M. to arrive at work by 8:30. While on the train I would always choose a seat away from the crowd so I can read the newspaper in peace and quiet. At work I am always being bombarded with questions from coworker, suppliers, the telephone and then those dreaded meeting, so the last thing I need is some stranger to sit beside me and make small talk. I don’t know why but for some reason when I got on the train that day it was unusually full, something I don’t recall ever happening in the past. With hesitation I sat down in the only seat available beside a middle-aged man who had his head down and seemed to be lost in his thoughts. I was glad that he didn’t notice when I sat next to him as he just continued to look down towards the floor. Shortly after the train left for my 30-minute ride downtown I found myself wondering what this man was thinking about. What could be so important that he didn’t even see me sit next to him? I tried to forget about it and started to read my paper. However, for some strange reason this inner voice kept prompting me to talk to this man. I tried to ignore the voice, as there was no way I was starting a conversation with a complete stranger. As you probably guessed, I eventually broke down and came up with an excuse to ask him a question. When he raised his head and turned his eyes towards me I could see that he must have been really upset as he had red eyes and still had some tears rolling down the side of his face despite his feeble attempt to wipe them away. I can’t describe the sadness I felt seeing someone in so much pain. We talked for about 20 minutes and in the end he seemed to be doing better. As we were leaving the train he thanked me profusely for being and angel taking the time to talk. I never did find out what was making his heart so heavy with pain but was glad I listen to the voice that day. Several weeks had passed when I noticed envelope on my desk after returning from lunch. It was not addressed to anyone and only had the word angel written on it. My receptionist attached a note saying a gentleman dropped it off saying he did not know my name but had described me well enough that the receptionist knew it was for me. When I read note inside the envelope I was so filled with emotions that I couldn’t contain myself. It was a letter from the man I met on the train thanking me again for talking to him and saving his life that day. Apparently he had some very hurtful personal problems that were so overwhelming that he was planning to take his own life that day. In his letter he went to explain that he was a religious person and in desperation screamed out to God that if God really cared about him he would send someone to prevent him from taking his own life. In his eyes I was that someone, that Angel sent by God. Not being a religious person myself, I don’t know what that voice was that made me take a chance and talk to a stranger, but I do know that it make a difference in someone’s life that day. So the next time you feel prompted for no apparent reason to talk to a friend, relative, neighbor or even a complete stranger please remember my story. You just may make a difference in someone’s life when you listen to your inner voice. Text B Make a Good First Impression Pre-reading Questions: 1. What do you think a smile indicates? 2. What can a person do to make a good first impression? At a dinner party in New York, one of the guests, a woman who had inherited money, was eager to make a pleasing impression on everyone. She had squandered a modest fortune on sables, diamonds and pearls. But she hadn’t done anything whatsoever about her face. It radiated sourness and selfis hness. She didn’t realize what everyone knows: namely, the impression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back. Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, “I like you. You make me happy, I am glad to se e you.” That is why dogs make such a hit. They are so glad to see us that they almost jump out of their skins. So, naturally, we are glad to see them. A baby’s smile has the same effect. Have you been in a doctor’s waiting room and looked around at all the glum faces waiting impatiently to be seen? Dr. Stephen K. Sproul, a veterinarian in Raytown, Missouri, told of a typical spring day when his waiting room was full of clients waiting to have their pets inoculated. No one was talking to anyone else, and all were probably thinking of a dozen other things they would rather be doing than “wasting time” sitting in that office. He told one of our classes: “There were six or seven clients waiting when a young woman came in with a nine-month baby and a kitten. As luck would have it, she sat down next to a gentleman who was more than a little distraught about the long wait for service. The next thing he knew, the baby just looked up at him with that great big smile that is so characteristic of babies. What did that gentleman do? Just what you and I would do, of course; he smiled back at the baby. Soon he struck up a conversation with the woman about her baby and his grandchildren, and soon the entire reception room joined in, and the boredom and tension were converted into a pleasant and enjoyable experience.” The ancient Chinese were a wise lot – wise in the ways of the world; and they had a proverb that you and I ought to cut out and paste inside our hates. It goes like this, “A man without a smiling face must not open a shop.” Your smile is a message of your goodwill. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it. To someone who has see a dozen people frown, scowl or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Especially when that someone is under pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers or parents or children, a smile can help him realize that all is not hopeless – that there is joy in the world.