21. According to the text, it is true that
[A] unhappiness is more inherited than affected by environment.
[B] happiness and unhappiness are mutually conditional.
[C] unhappiness is subject to external more than internal factors.
[D] happiness is an uncontrollable subjective feeling.
22. The author argues that one can achieve happiness by
[A] maintaining it at an average level.
[B] escaping miserable occurrences in life.
[C] pursuing it with one’s painstaking effort.
[D] realizing its coexistence with unhappiness.
23. The phrase “To date” (Para. 4) can be best replaced by
[A] As a result.
[B] In addition.
[C] At present.
[D] Until now.
24. What do you think the author believes about happiness and unhappiness?
[A] One feels unhappy owing to his miserable origin.
[B] They are independent but existing concurrently
[C] One feels happy by participating in more activities.
[D] They are actions and attitudes taken by human beings.
25. The sentence “That’s that” (Para. 5) probably means: Some people are born to be sad
[A] and the situation cannot be altered.
[B] and happiness remains inaccessible.
[C] but they don’t think much about it.
[D] but they remain unconscious of it.
Text Two
What are the characteristics of a mediator? Foremost, the mediator needs to be seen as a respected neutral, objective third party who is capable of weighing out fairness in the resolution of a conflict. The mediator must be trusted by both parties to come up with a solution that will protect them from shame. While the central issue is justice, the outcome needs to be win-win, no losers. The abilities to listen impartially, suspend judgment, and accurately gather and assess information are other important characteristics. Finally, to function effectively the mediator must have power (financial, status, position), so that both parties will take seriously and abide by the mediator’s judgment. If one party refused to cooperate, he or she should fear the possibility of being shamed and losing face before the mediator and the whole community. If that real possibility does not enter the minds of both parties, the mediator will be ineffective.
In several countries mediators are still used to find a bride for a man. Usually this is a job for the parents, and they in turn employ the services of a mediator. Because this event takes much planning, the parents will try to identify the mediator well in advance. Since these services sometimes require reward, money must be saved. Or in some cases parents try to do a number of favors for the mediator so that he or she will feel indebtedness and perform the service as a kind of repayment.
The parents will try to get the most influential mediator possible, to boost their chances of being approved by the potential bride’s parents. The young woman’s parents will not want to risk shame by turning down a request from such an important person—so the reasoning goes. Of course, the higher-ranked the mediator, the higher the cost of the services.
Complicating the process is the fact that turning down the mediator is also a slight of the potential groom and his parents, which will likely generate conflict between the families. If the parties are not careful, the entire community can take sides. One way to alleviate this eventuality is for the young woman’s family to identify a flaw that would make her a less desirable prospect. They might say, “She is sickly.” or “She may not be able to bear children.” Although none of these statements may be true, and probably everyone knows they aren’t, they do provide a way for the young man’s parents to withdraw their request for a perfectly legitimate reason. Everyone saves face, at least at the surface, and peace is preserved.
26. The characteristics of a mediator include all of the following except
[A] unbiased judgment of arguments.
[B] hard prudence in decision-making.
[C] impartial treatment to a conflict.
[D] remarkable insight into controversies.
27. The author deems it important for a mediator
[A] to be quite wealthy and considerate.
[B] to be powerful to shame either party.
[C] to justify the solution of a conflict.
[D] to have high status to fear arguers.
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