题目内容：

A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves – the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.

We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. But we really shouldn’t be, because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.

This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solves problems, and calm ourselves down. Beware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying, “Good job!”

Words possess power because of their lasting effects. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it true? Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.

Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊) and motive others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.

1.The author argues in the first paragraph that ________.

A. words will never hurt us at all

B. words have lasting effects on us

C. positive effects last longer than negative effects

D. negative words last longer than positive effects

2.Why should we not feel embarrassed when talking to ourselves?

A. Almost everybody has the habit of talking to oneself.

B. It does harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone.

C. Talking to ourselves helps us to solve all the problems.

D. Talking to ourselves is believed to be good for our health.

3.The underlined phrase “give ourselves a pat on the back” in Paragraph 3 means _________.

A. blame ourselves    B. punish ourselves

C. praise ourselves    D. talk to ourselves

4.Which of the following statements would the author agree to?

A. It is better to think twice before talking to others.

B. It is impossible for unkind words to be forgotten.

C. Words always possess long positive effects.

D. Kind words are sometimes not needed at all.