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The Zen of Cat
The Man was very sad. He knew that the Cat’s days were numbered.The doctor had said there was not anything more that could be done, and that he should take the Cat home and make him as comfortable as possible.
The Man stroked the Cat on his lap and sighed.The Cat opened his eyes, purred and looked up at the Man. A tear rolled down the Man’s cheek and landed on the Cat’s forehead.The Cat gave him a slightly annoyed look.
“Why do you cry, Man?” the Cat asked. “Because you can’t bear the thought of losing me? Because you think you can never replace me?” The Man nodded “yes.”
“And where do you think I’ll be when I leave you?” the Cat asked. The Man shrugged helplessly. “Close your eyes, Man,” the Cat said. The Man gave him a questioning look, but did as he was told.
“What color are my eyes and fur?” the Cat asked. “Your eyes are gold and your fur is a rich, warm brown.” the Man replied.
“And where is it that you most often see me?”asked the Cat. “I see you…on the kitchen windowsill watching the birds…on my favorite chair…on my desk lying on the papers I need…on the pillow next to my head at night.” “Then, whenever you wish to see me，all you must do is to close your eyes,”said the Cat.
“Close your eyes again,” the Cat said. “Now lick your hand.” The Man widened his eyes in surprise.
“Just do it,” the Cat said. “Lick your hand, and think of me in all my familiar places.”
The Man felt foolish, licking his hand, but he did as he was told. He discovered what a cat must know，that licking a paw is very calming and allows one to think more clearly. He continued licking and the corners of his mouth turned upward into the first smile he had shown in days. He waited for the Cat to tell him to stop, and when he didn't, he opened his eyes. The Cat's eyes were closed. The Man stroked the warm, brown fur, but the Cat was gone.
The Man shut his eyes hard as the tears poured down his face. He saw the Cat on the windowsill, then in his bed, then lying across his important papers. He saw him on the pillow next to his head, saw his bright gold eyes and darkest brown on his nose and ears.
One day, not long after, there was a new cat on his lap. She was a lovely spotted and white…very different from his earlier beloved cat and very much the same.
21. Why the Man was sad and cried?
A. Because he had to give the cat away and bring back a new cat.
B. Because the Cat was bad-tempered and bad to him.
C. Because the Cat was dying.
D. Because he would leave the Cat.
22. The Cat asked the Man to lick his hands to ________________________.
A. make fool of him.
B. let the man think like him and distract his attention from his death.
C. make sure whether the Man loved him or not.
D. help him convert his bad mood.
23. The word ‘zen’ in the title can be replaced by ___________.
A. fate B. sorrow C.owner D. philosophy
24. What did the Cat want to tell the Man?
A. He would come back to life and do not be in deep sorrow.
B. There would be another cat in place of him.
C. Where he would go after leaving the Man.
D. How to accept the death of a beloved one.
Key:CBDD

Who Stole our Happiness?
In Denmark, happiness comes from equality; in Singapore,happiness comes from the rule of law; in the slums of Calcutta, India, happiness comes from the hearts of people that depend on each other. Whether a person is happy or not, largely depends on two aspects. One is external, that is the social environment we live in; the other is internal, that is our personal attitude to life. Today, we are not happy, also can be analyzed in several aspects.
1. Lack of faith
Most of us do not know what the expectations are in one's whole life. Confucius lived a poor life and didn't even have pillows when sleeping and used his arms as pillows, but Confucius said, “Happiness is within.”
2. Always comparing　　　　
“Whether a person is fortunate or not, happy or not, does not depend on how big of accomplishment he or she has achieved, but from the way how the neighbors look at them.” When what we are pursuing is not happiness, but to be happier than others, then happiness will be even further away from us.　　　　
3. Living in happiness without realizing it　　　　
If a light has been constantly lit, we will not pay attention to it, but if it is brighter and darker at times, or if it is on and off at times, we will notice. Similarly, sometimes we are envied by others, but we hardly notice it. 　　　
4. Not moved by beautiful things　　　　
“The spring wind is so selfless, not asking for anything in return but blossomed millions of flowers.” We may not have the ability to create beauty. We often ignore and are unaware of the natural beauty, artistic beauty, spiritual beauty and many beautiful things in life around us.　　　
5. Do not know how to give　　
Only a person who knows how to give rather than just take can be truly happy. Charity is not a privilege of the rich.
6. Not being content　
How much does a person need to be satisfied? Never enough!　　　　　
When we are not happy because we don't have shoes, can we notice those who do not have feet? Contentment brings happiness.　
7. Anxiety is everywhere　　　
Anxiety of safety, wealth, health and anxiety of children's education… Only a person who is carefree can be happy.　　　
8. Too much pressure/stress　　　　　　
We are under a variety of pressure:pressure from work and family, financial pressure, interpersonal pressure, psychological pressure and physical pressure…　
9. Standards are too high　　　　　
We use our own standard to demand others "If I can, why can't you?"　　　　
We use other's standard to demand ourselves, "If he can, why can't I?"　　　　　
10. Not being oneself　　　　
A person who becomes a good son, a good husband, a good father, a good friend, a good partner… but if a person cannot become someone that himself/herself desires, always fighting with oneself, then this person has no balance, and naturally, it is difficult for him/her to be truly happy.
25. According to the passage, which of the following did not steal our happiness?
A. Pretending to be someone else. B. Struggling for our life goals.
C. Having no beliefs. D. Living an aimless life.
26. Confucius’ words are quoted to imply that ______________________.
A. we need to know what we are pursuing in our life.
B. happiness lies in poor life.
C. wise men all live in happiness.
D. we should learn from him and live a simply life.
27. Which of the following is true?
A. To share everything we have is a source of happiness.
B. To be what you really are is a way of achieving happiness.
C. Not to set a standard is access to happiness.
D. To know that we have an advantage over others brings us happiness.
Key: BAB