B

A new TV series in England，Away from it all，has surprised everyone by becoming a huge success with young people across the country.Its success is surprising because the series is about the relaxing lifestyles of people who live in the country.There is none of the action that we usually see on TV today.There are also no stressful moments，busy offices or crowded cities.Away from it all is set in the peaceful English countryside and tells simple stories about people’s kindness.

The director of the TV series says that its success is a sign of teenagers suffering from stress.They say that watching Away from it all helps teenagers forget about the pressures(压力)of exams and homework，and the troubles that fill the world today.They also say that it’s a good sign of today’s young  people switching to(转到)happier TV series as it shows they would like a happier and healthier world.

Although the series’success might have a good side，many teachers and parents are worried，however.They say that some of their students and children are becoming couch potatoes(终日泡在电视机前的人)and are using Away from it all as an excuse for not completing homework.Some children have even refused to learn for exams because they say that they can only achieve personal happiness by avoiding(避免)stressful situations completely.

And what do the experts(专家)say? Paula Ray，a doctor of education，says that TV can influence children’s lifestyles.But she says that if a child reacts strongly，it’s likely that there are other reasons for his change in behaviour.She says that there is nothing wrong with watching Away from it all but suggests that parents should make sure their children know TV is not the same as real life，

(   )54.The success of the new TV series is surprising because________.

A.it is different from other successful TV series

B.it is the same as other successful TV series

C.it is about the English countryside

D.it is about life in busy offices

(   )55.The director of Away from it all believes that the series helps young people

deal with______.

A.simple stories    B.stress       C.couch potatoes    D.exams

(   )56.The success of the series shows that young people would like________.

A.a world with no homework        B.English TV series

C.relaxing jobs                    D.a happier and healthier world

(   )57.Who are worried about the effects of the series?

A.Experts and teenagers.         B.Teachers and experts.

C.Teachers and parents.         , D.Young people and paren ts.

C

There is an old saying that all of us are born with two bags hung on our necks. A small bag in front of our chest is filled up with other people's faults (缺点), while the big one at the back is full of our own shortcomings (短处).

So it’s easy to find other people's faults, but it's hard for us to see our faults behind us.

There was a boy, Tommy, who always opened the front bag to check what was in it. He saw other people's faults very quickly. When Simon was impatient with him, he said to Simon, "It's so easy for you to get angry. It is hard to be friends with you."

He told his mother about Jack's dishonesty. "Jack takes my things without asking. He also forgets to return them." Tommy himself did not like sharing his things with anyone.

When Johnny was too tired to play with him, he said, "'You are such a rude person."

He thought Harry was too proud of his rich parents. But Tommy was as proud of himself because he could not see any of his own shortcomings! He could not understand why he did not get on well with others.

If only Tommy would switch the bags around, he would discover his own impatience,  dishonesty, bad manners and vanity (虚荣), which were no better than that of Simon, Jack, Johnny or Harry.

58. Tommy thought it was hard to be friends with  Simon because Simon was _________.

A. impatient                        B. a rude person

C. dishonest                        D. too proud of his rich parents