1 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

From Passion to Structure: The Journey of Small Businesses

Wal-Mart started small. So did Microsoft. So did Apple. So did General Electric and Ford and almost every other company     1     made it big. They didn’t start by acquisition or achieve mass scale overnight. Nearly every company or organization starts the same way: with an idea.     2     an organization grows to become a multi-billion-dollar corporation like Wal-Mart or fails in the first few years, most of them started with a single person or small group of people who had an idea.

At the beginning, ideas     3     (fuel) by passion — that every convincing emotion that causes us to do quite irrational things. That passion drives many people to make sacrifices so that a cause bigger than themselves can be brought to life. Some drop out of school or quit a perfectly good job     4     a good salary and benefits to try to go it alone. Some work extraordinarily long hours without a second thought, sometimes     5     (sacrifice) the stability of their relationships or even their personal health. This passion is so exciting that it can affect others as well.     6     (inspire) by the founder’s vision, many early employees demonstrate classic early-adopter behavior. Relying on their courage, these first employees also quit their perfectly good jobs and accept     7     (low) salaries to join an organization with a 90 percent statistical chance of failing. But the statistics don’t matter; passion and optimism persist and energy is high. Like all early adopters, the behavior of those who join early says more about them than     8     does about the company’s prospects.

The reason why so many small businesses fail, however, is     9     passion alone can’t cut it. For passion     10     (survive), it needs a structure. A WHY without HOWs, passion without structure, has a very high probability of failure.

2 .

FAQs on preparing your Application
Q: Should I target my Application to a specific Job Opening (JO)?
A: Yes. Naturally, a customized cover note will also help you focus on the key aspects of your Application that relate to the JO, but it is also in your interest to target the Application according to the responsibilities and competencies of the position.
Q: What’s the difference between duties and achievements?
A: Duties describe the specific responsibilities of your job. They accurately reflect what you are doing or have done in each of your previous jobs. In other words, it is the “what you do” of your job. Achievements describe in specific terms “how well” you did in your job.
Q: Many of my achievements are team-based, how do I draft them in my Application?
A: You should include your team-based achievements in your Application. Indicate that you were part of a team, and describe your specific role in reaching the goal.
FAQs on general Application guidelines
Q: Can I save my Application?
A: Yes. You should save your Application when you make changes and/or update it. It is recommended that you save different versions of your Application in Word format and then edit the Application online according to the post for which you are applying.
Q: Can I update my Application to apply for a new JO?
A: Yes. Each time you apply for a new JO, we recommend that you review your Application and update it, if appropriate, or target it to better reflect your suitability for the new JO. Your updates will not affect the content of Applications previously submitted against other JOs.
Q: Must I use up all the available characters in each section of my Application?
A: No. In fact, doing so may result in an unnecessary lengthy Application. Unless you have an enormous range of experiences, there is no reason to use up all the space given. Applicants are encouraged to list their duties and achievements in a clear and brief manner.

1. Which of the following descriptions best shows your achievements?

A．I’ve developed various interests, ranging from oil painting to designing model.

B．I’m good at creating proposals for new product ideas aimed at a specific market.

C．I’m in charge of the clearance, production and distribution of information material.

D．I succeeded in directing a video presentation, assisting our group to win the first prize.

2. If you want to apply for another JO, you’d better __________.

A．target your focus on your interest in the JO

B．save your latest application in Word format

C．prepare one application with all your competencies

D．update your application to match new requirements

3. Applicants are expected to __________ in their applications.

A．introduce what JOs they have previously applied to

B．list the greatest achievements they have made in detail

C．give key information about their experiences and achievements

D．provide the results of their tests, assessments and examinations

4 . Until we start to lose our balance, we barely notice that it’s there at all. “It starts for a lot of people with simple stuff,” says Dr Anna Lowe, an expert on healthy ageing and physical activity. “    1     It’s easy to either miss the signs or just put it down to ageing — but it really is something you can affect.”

The key, it is increasingly becoming clear, is to address the decline before it gets serious: and that can happen earlier than you might think.

What is balance? Technically, it’s the complex interaction of several different systems in your body — from muscles, nerves, eyesight and the inner ear to the sensory system that lets you recognise where your body is touching the ground, along with movement receptors within your joints that tell you where your body is in space.     2    

A lack of balance is, globally, associated with serious health problems. Earlier this year, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published the results of a decade-long study involving more than 1,700 middle-aged participants, which concluded that an inability to balance was associated with an almost twofold increase in risk of death.

“    3    ” agrees Lowe, an associate professor researching strength and balance in midlife. “Older women are far less active than older men, and general activity, just moving around and doing stuff, affects balance a lot. Single-legged movements, such as walking lunges, are a great test of dynamic (动态的) balance, but even bilateral movements, like squats (深蹲), can provide a challenge.”

    4     Resistance exercise, whether that means lifting weights or hiking with a backpack, comes with a host of other proven health benefits, from improved bone density to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. As Locker puts it: everyone’s told to save money for their retirement, and nobody’s taught to save their balance. But both are difficult to get back once they’re gone.

A．Early interventions are key, so you’ve got to stay active.

B．Perhaps surprisingly, those who deal with it have struggled to settle on a single definition.

C．It’s not something we’re born with, but also it’s not something we learn, but an ability that we gain early and lose over time.

D．For some people. just try to build in an element of balance and muscle strengthening.

E．Maybe you used to be able to quickly stand on one leg to put a shoe on, and you’ve stopped doing that at some point.

F．Whatever activity you choose, the lesson is to work on your balance before you need to, not when it becomes an issue.

6 . A postcard is a lovely way to share your thoughts and greetings with someone while you’re traveling of simply want to reach out and connect. Below is a detailed set of instructions outlining the process of composing a postcard:

(1) Select a postcard: Choose a postcard that represents the place you’re visiting or one that has a design that agrees with your message.

(2) Address the recipient: Start by writing the recipient’s name on the left side of the postcard. You can include their full name or just their first name, depending on your relationship with them.

(3) Add an opening greeting: Begin the message with a friendly greeting, such as “Dear”, “Hi”, or “Hello”. Use the recipient’s name if you have a close relationship with them.

(4) Write a concise message: Keep your message brief and focus on the highlights of your trip or the purpose of your communication. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Describe the sights and experiences: Share a few interesting details about the places you’ve visited, the activities you’ve enjoyed, or any unique experiences you’ve had.

Express your thoughts and feelings: Share your impressions, emotions, or reflections about the location, the people you’ve met, or the overall atmosphere.

Share a funny or memorable events: If something amusing or noteworthy happened during your trip, include it to make the postcard more engaging.

Extend warm wishes: Convey your best wishes or send greetings for a specific occasion like a birthday or holiday. Show the recipient that you’re thinking of them.

(5) Sign off: End your postcard with a closing remark and your name. You can use phrases like “Best regards”, “Warm wishes”, or “Thinking of you”. Remember to sign your name below the closing.

(6) Optional: Add a postscript (P. S.): If you have any additional thoughts, trivia, or recommendations, you can include a P. S. below your signature. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your postcard.

Remember, the charm of a postcard lies in its simplicity and personal touch. Enjoy the process of writing and sharing your message, and let the recipient know they are in your thoughts wherever you may be.

1. The passage is mainly intended to ______.

A．tell readers how to write a postcard

B．comment on the value of postcards

C．give an example of a charming postcard

D．encourage readers to compose more postcards

2. According to the writer, what should be included in an attractive postcard?

A．A postscript.

B．A future plan.

C．What you like most about the trip.

D．What you regret in the trip.

3. According to the writer, which of the following is TRUE of a postcard?

A．It is recommended to sign off a postcard with your initials.

B．It should include the recipient’s full name in the opening greeting.

C．It is encouraged to choose a design that is in line with the message.

D．Adding a postscript is considered compulsory to provide additional details.

7 . Studies have shown that when people’s mental health improves, they’re more likely to _________ in their relationships and careers — and adopt healthier habits. People become more productive, find meaning in everyday experiences and are more equipped to cope with changes and obstacles when they feel mentally well. Here are four New Year’s resolutions experts expect people to make _________ mental health.

Rethink your social media use

Reflect on whether you’d like to continue with the same online habits in 2024, says Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist. “Do you want to set some _________ for yourself? Are there people you need to _________?” “For example, you might limit yourself to 15 minutes on social media per day, delete the most _________ apps from your phone during the workweek, or challenge yourself not to check social media when you’re feeling gloomy.

Reconnect with a long-lost friend

“Make new friends, but keep the old” is an adage (格言) for a reason. Loneliness affects physical and mental health while _________ social bonds are a slave. Resolve to reach out to “one person you lost touch with who used to be _________ to you,” Winch says. He recommends opening with a text like this: “I was thinking about you. It’s been so long. How are you?” _________ the message with a smiley face, he adds. “That’s important because when you say, ‘It’s been so long’, it can sound accusing.” A smiley face, Winch says, can ensure the _______ meaning — “I miss you” — comes across.

Plan four activities each week

The “core four” help guard against life’s stressors. First, do something __________, like attending a football game or belting out a Taylor Swift album. Having fun “__________ the stress by helping you accumulate more positive events than negative ones,” says Calvin Fitch, a clinical health psychologist. Then check off a “mastery activity”, like cleaning or running errands. Also important are being __________— a sense of belonging facilitates better health — and doing physical activities that get your heart rate going.

Do something to relieve climate anxiety

If you’re __________ about the state of the planet — and more of us are — worrying won’t help. Instead, take a cue from Winch’s family: each year, they decide to do one thing to __________ their climate anxiety, like eliminating plastic bags, composting food scraps, or walking 15 minutes to nearby destinations instead of driving. “It’s overwhelming — I feel like I can’t get my arms around it,” he says. “But doing one small thing is a way of feeling like you’re __________ your goal.”

1.

A．compete

B．quit

C．recall

D．thrive

2.

A．in memory of

B．in the name of

C．with the aid of

D．with the exception of

3.

A．boundaries

B．standards

C．records

D．examples

4.

A．uncover

B．unlock

C．unfollow

D．unlike

5.

A．time-consuming

B．time-saving

C．time-honored

D．time-starved

6.

A．deep

B．new

C．private

D．safe

7.

A．dear

B．indifferent

C．rare

D．strange

8.

A．Decorate

B．End

C．Lengthen

D．Start

9.

A．moral

B．literature

C．real

D．empathetic

10.

A．comfortable

B．efficient

C．pleasurable

D．unusual

11.

A．decreases

B．enhances

C．extends

D．supplies

12.

A．energetic

B．healthy

C．responsible

D．social

13.

A．ambitious

B．cautious

C．confident

D．distressed

14.

A．conceal

B．ease

C．measure

D．track

15.

A．emphasizing

B．defeating

C．underestimating

D．approaching

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。1.

A．To introduce some keys to being a successful interviewer

B．To explain the importance of sending a thank-you letter after an interview

C．To illustrate the deciding factors of a behavioral interview

D．To offer suggestions on having an interview

2.

A．Interviewers will ask you detailed questions after interview

B．Interviewers do not care what you did in the past

C．interviewees should give a good answer based on STAR

D．Interviewees should not confess their past mistakes to interviewers.

3.

A．Make friends ask and answer questions.

B．Take notes and emphasize all of the best qualities.

C．Learn from interviewers or famous TV stars.

D．Ask friends to be interviewers in a mock interview.

4.

A．Explaining the past performance.

B．Showing good skills of surfing the Internet.

C．Stressing important qualities again.

D．Sending cover letter as well as resumes.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。1.

A．Understanding how to cooperate.	B．The beginning of how to communicate
C．Considering what others need.	D．The first day at the family day-care home

2.

A．Children should be taught to share as early as possible.

B．By the age of four, most children are ready to share what they have.

C．A care provider should never say the toy belongs to a certain child.

D．Children can learn to share when playing with other children.

3.

A．In a group game, the care provider may decide who the toy belongs to.

B．If a child wants a toy back, he will have to ask the care provider for it

C．It's important for the care provider to explain the importance of sharing to children

D．Care providers need to be patient and explain everything in a way children understand

10 . Fit to Be Tied: Four Common Knots

Are you one of those hikers who always prefers a square knot? Here are simple, easy-to-remember alternatives that will do a better job in four common camping settings.

①Bind cargo to your car To secure a large bag to a car roof, you need a knot that acts like a pulley (滑轮). The trucker’s knot works best. Start by forming an overhand loop, pulling a loop through, and tightening. Next, feed the rope’s free end around a roof rack (架 子) or an S-hook on the frame. Pull on the working end to obtain the desired tension; then use a quick-release half-hitch, a type of knot, to “lock” the tension in place (and make untying cargo quick and simple).

②Attach tent guylines (拉绳) Attached to webbing loops at key stress points on the outer walls of tents, guylines are tied to the ground with stones. They stabilize the tent in strong winds by keeping the fabric walls tight. When setting up your shelter, tighten the guylines until no loose part remains in them or the tent walls. Fit the ropes with a tight-line knot, which lets you adjust the line’s length without untying the knot. When you move the knot by hand, it slides freely along the line, but it holds tight when the loop is tensioned—so the knot holds firm when gusts of wind pull tent walls hard.

③Lower a pack over a rock shelf Some packs feature a strong leather belt for easy rope-pulls—but most require a bowline knot, which doesn’t slip no matter the weight. It is very easy to untie after it’s been loaded. Slide the loop around the middle of the pack, tighten it, then lower away. A handy recall- aiding device: The rope’s long end is the “tree”; the loop is the “rabbit hole”;

④Fasten a canoe to shore The clove hitch is perfect for quickly fastening boats because it’s easy to tie, holds fast under tension, and releases instantly with a pull on the free end. This makes it a speedy way to fix a line to a tree. For extra security, add one or two half-hitches.

1. Which of the following may best match the types of knots in the numbered text description (1-4)?

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

A．(a)(d)(b)(c)

B．(a)(c)(b)(d)

C．(c)(d)(a)(b)

D．(c)(b)(d)(a)

2. What is the best knot to use when a worker carries goods with a rope repeatedly between I^nd floor and 2^nd floor?

A．Tight-line knot

B．Truckers knot

C．Clove hitch

D．Bowline knot

3. Where are you most likely to read this article?

A．A website on backpackers.	B．A leaflet on safety guidance.
C．A scientific journal on knots.	D．A travel guide on beauty spots.