We were five minutes into a severe winter storm — approaching Boston’s Logan International Airport — when I turned to the woman next to me and said, “Hey, would you mind chatting with me for a few minutes?” My seatmate seemed friendly and I suddenly felt desperate for a human connection.
“Sure. My name is Sue,” the woman replied, smiling warmly. “What brings you to Boston?” I started to explain that I was on a business trip. Then the plane trembled violently, and I blurted out, “I might need to hold your hand too.” Sue took my hand in both of hers, patted it, and held on tight.
Sometimes a stranger can significantly improve our day. ① A pleasant meeting with someone we don’t know, even an unspoken exchange, can calm us when no one else is around. It may get us out of our own heads — a proven mood lifter — and help broaden our vision. Sandstrom, a psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Essex, has found that people’s moods improve after they have a conversation with a stranger. And yet most of us resist talking to people we don’t know or barely know. We worry about how to start, maintain, or stop it. We think we will keep talking and disclose too much, or not talk enough. We are afraid we will bore the other person. We’re typically wrong.
② In a study in which Sandstrom asked participants to talk to at least one stranger a day for five days, 99 percent said they had found at least one of the exchanges pleasantly surprising, 82 percent said they’d learned something from one of the strangers, 43 percent had exchanged contact information, and 40 percent had communicated with one of the strangers again.
③ Multiple studies show that people who interact regularly with passing acquaintances or who engage with others through community groups, religious gatherings, or volunteer opportunities have better emotional and physical health and live longer than those who do not. One person took up the cello after chatting with a woman on the subway who was carrying one. Another recalled how the smile of a fruit salesman from whom he regularly bought bananas made him feel less lonely after he’d first arrived in a new city.
④ When Sue took my hand on that scary flight to Boston, I almost wept with relief. “Hey, this is a little bumpy, but we will be on the ground safely soon,” she told me. She looked so encouraging, and confident. I asked her what she did for a living. “I’m a retired physical education teacher, and I coached women’s volleyball,” she said. Immediately, I could see what an awesome coach she must have been.
When we said goodbye, I gave Sue a big hug and my card. A few days later, I received an e-mail with the subject line “Broken hand on Jet Blue.” “I have to admit that I was just as scared as you were but did not say it,” Sue wrote. “I just squeezed your hand as hard as I could. Thank you for helping me through this very scary situation.” She added that when she’d told her friends about our conversation, they teased her because they know she loves to talk. I told my friends about Sue too. I explained how kind she was to me, and what I learned: It’s OK to ask for help from a stranger if you need it. Now if I mention to my friends that I am stressed or worried, they respond, “Just think of Sue!”
1. The writer struck up a conversation with her seatmate because ________.A.they were heading for the same city on business |
B.she was in urgent need of emotional comfort |
C.the plane’s abrupt movement was unbearable |
D.the woman was friendlier than other passengers |
A.It lights up our otherwise unsuccessful life. |
B.It saves us the trouble of talking too much. |
C.It improves our ability to think and understand |
D.It guarantees us a lasting feeling of happiness. |
A.To present the benefits of interacting with acquaintances. |
B.To show it lifts mood to make and meet with new friends. |
C.To stress it is necessary to associate with unknown people. |
D.To relieve anxiety about communicating with strangers. |
A.① | B.② | C.③ | D.④ |
A.The writer was impressed with Sue’s ability to inspire others. |
B.The writer herself could have been a volleyball player. |
C.Sue possessed obvious characters of a qualified PE teacher. |
D.Sue became the coach of the writer as a consequence. |
A.Regretful. | B.Surprised. | C.Disappointed. | D.Satisfied. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】The first patient who died on my watch was an older man with a faulty heart. We tried to slow it down with treatment, but it suddenly stopped beating completely. Later, whenever I would have a case like that one, I found myself second-guessing my clinical management. However, it turns out that thinking twice may actually cause more harm than good.
In a working paper, Emory University researchers found that when doctors delivering a baby have a bad result, they are more likely to switch to a different delivery method with the next patient, often unnecessarily and sometimes with worse results.
Because doctors make so many decisions that have serious consequences, the fallout from second-guessing appears especially large for us. A 2006 study found that if a patient had a bleed after being prescribed (开药) warfarin, the physician was about 20% less likely to prescribe later patients the blood thinner that prevents strokes (中风). However, if a patient was not on warfarin and had a stroke physicians were still no more likely to prescribe warfarin to their other patients.
These findings highlight interesting behavioral patterns in doctors. In the blood-thinner study, doctors were more affected by the act of doing harm (prescribing a blood thinner that ended up hurting doctors were more affected by the act of doing harm(prescribing a blood thinner that ended up hurting a patient) and less affected by letting harm happen (not prescribing a blood thinner and the patient having a stroke). Yet a stroke is often more permanent and damaging than a bleed.
But this phenomenon is not unique to medicine. ''Overreaction to Fearsome Risks'' holds true for broader society.
For instance, sensational headlines about shark attacks on humans in Florida in 2001 caused a panic and led the state to prohibit shark-feeding expeditions. Yet shark attacks had actually fallen that year and, according to the study, such a change was probably unnecessary given the extremely small risk of such an attack happening.
Humans are likely to be influenced by emotional and often irrational (不理性的) thinking when processing information, bad events and mistakes. As much as we don't want to cause an unfortunate event to happen again, we need to be aware that a worst situation that can be imagined doesn't necessarily mean we did anything wrong. When we overthink, we fail to rely on thinking based on what we know or have experienced. Instead, we may involuntarily overanalyze and come to the wrong conclusion.
I have treated dozens of patients who presented with the same illnesses as my first patient, who died more than a year ago. Instead of second-guessing myself, I trusted my clinical instinct (本能) and stayed the course. Every one of those patients survived. You should trust your instinct in your life, too.
1. The first two paragraphs suggest that________.A.bad medical outcomes affect doctors |
B.delivering babies can be difficult work |
C.some doctors are not very experienced |
D.doctors sometimes make silly mistakes |
A.tend to prescribe less effective medicine |
B.are more concerned about the patients' safety |
C.become less confident in writing a prescription |
D.believe a stroke is more treatable than a bleeding |
A.Result | B.Benefit | C.Difference | D.Absence |
A.we should not doubt our own decisions |
B.our experience will pave way for our future |
C.humans are emotional and irrational on the whole |
D.instincts don't necessarily lead to wrong directions |
【推荐2】Are things not working out in your life, despite your doing all the “right” things? Is it possible that you are holding “unforgiveness” in your heart? It is worth thinking about. What do you do when somebody hurts you? Do you want to hurt that person back, or do you hold it against them for the rest of your life? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you are like most people.
People don’t forgive readily, because it is easier to hate than to forgive. Some people think to forgive is a sign of weakness, but actually to forgive takes courage and effort.
Forgiveness is a gift from a generous heart. It is not a reward for good behavior. It is not based on whether the person deserves it or whether the person has asked for it. Besides, forgiveness is an act and a long-term process.
A.Those who learn to forgive deserve respect from others. |
B.To forgive is something that most people have difficulty with. |
C.The deeper your pain, the longer it usually takes to completely forgive. |
D.Forgiveness brings freedom, whereas hate is neither sweet nor satisfying. |
E.Forgiveness is necessary because it releases you from the burden of bitterness and hate. |
F.Psychologically forgiveness is defined as a deliberate decision to release feelings of hate toward a person who has harmed you. |
【推荐3】The turn of the year is traditionally the time for reviewing one’s life, and perhaps for making some resolutions as to what to concentrate on in the coming year; and for many years past I have taken advantage of the holiday period to review my own goal and ambition.
One thing I do decide to do this year, with some unwillingness, is to give up writing the Grumpy Old Bookman column in this magazine. It’s not that I’ve lost interest in the book world, you understand. But Leonard Woolf, husband of writer Virginia Wool, used to say that a man should change his career every seven years. Though personally I would say that changing your whole career so often is going a bit far, I do find, during my own working life, that it acts as a great refresher if you can occasionally try a new job within the same organization or line of business.
It is in fact well over 15 years since our editor wrote to me and asked if I would be interested in writing a regular piece about what was, even then, a rapidly changing publishing scene. He approached me because since 2004 I had been writing a regular blog called, amazingly enough, Grumpy Old Bookman.
As my monthly survey of developments in both traditional and digital publishing continued, in this magazine, I began to realize that writers in this century, of both fiction and non-fiction, are living in something close to a paradise. Once, you struggled for years to find a publisher—or an agent if you wanted one—but now you can publish your own stuff, either digitally or in paperback, without it costing you a penny piece. Amazing.
After about five years of producing such columns, at just under a thousand words a time, it occurred to me that, rather than let these essays drift away on the seas of time, it might be of value to potential readers to publish my thoughts and comments in book form. Hence, in 2014, I published the first 69 GOB columns in paperback format, using Amazon’s Create space facilities. Title: Writers Rejoice! A monthly diary of the dawn of the digital age, which was my first trial. And now I sincerely wish a new 2022.
1. Why does the author want to give up writing the column?A.He follows Leonard Woolf’s suggestion. |
B.He is very keen on trying something new. |
C.He is fed up with the career linked to books. |
D.He’s used to changing his job every seven years. |
A.It is a blessing to live in the present times. |
B.Publishing industry is a profitable business. |
C.It is rather hard to publish books nowadays. |
D.Now it is amazing to find a publisher easily. |
A.Purposeful and good at self-reflecting. |
B.Dedicated but easy to doubt himself. |
C.Emotional and good at controlling himself. |
D.Ambitious but reluctant to change himself, |
A.Giving up timely is another virtue. |
B.The beginning of a year is a new start. |
C.Reflection can drive us to push forward. |
D.Changing the job means a new opportunity. |
【推荐1】My roommate Lily was well organised, while I was not. Each of her things had its place, but mine were always hidden somewhere. She even labeled (贴标签于) everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Lily got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
War broke out one evening. Lily came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming. “Take your shoes away! Why under my bed! “Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Lily answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled (爬) under her covers, sobbing. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy (同情) rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, even on her side. I got so lost in my work that I even didn’t notice Lily had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried and her expression a kind of disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me, “Thanks.”
Lily and I stayed roommates for the rest of the college years. We didn’t always agree, but we learned.
1. How is Paragraph 1 mainly developed?A.By analyzing causes. | B.By following time order. |
C.By showing differences. | D.By describing a process. |
A.She heard the author shouting loud. |
B.She saw the author’s shoes under her bed. |
C.She got the news that her grandma was ill. |
D.She couldn’t find her books anymore. |
A.Because she wanted to show her care for Lily. |
B.Because she hated herself for being so messy. |
C.Because Lily required her to do so. |
D.Because she was scared by Lily’s anger. |
A.Hard Work Pays Off | B.Learning to Be Roommates |
C.My Friend Lily | D.How to Be Organised? |
【推荐2】Once you get close enough to someone, it’s easy to assume they’ll be a friend for life — but friendships take work, too, and it’s important that you make time to cultivate these relationships as well.
1. “How do you think we’ve both changed since we became friends?”
There’s a good chance that you’ve been friends with those closest to you for some time, which means you’ve both changed in certain ways over the years. Shari, founder of Imperfectly Perfect Life, says it’s important to reflect on that change. “
2. “
“You don’t have to just focus on your own friendship. People vary greatly in what makes them feel most connected to others — for some it’s sharing something exciting together, while for others, it’s doing daily tasks together,” Julia, a clinical psychologist, notes.
3. “What is the best advice you’ve ever received?”
Another way you can “gain a deeper understanding of your friend’s values, beliefs, and the lessons they’ve learned along their journey” is by asking them about the best advice they’ve ever received. “This provides an opportunity to share wisdom that has had a significant impact on their personal growth,” Natalie shares. “
4.“What are your biggest dreams for your life?”
A.What life experience has shaped you the most? |
B.Acknowledging your growth can enhance your friendship |
C.When do you feel most connected to the people in your life? |
D.It’s also good to acknowledge that even the closest friendships are not perfect |
E.You should know what your friend actually envisions for themselves in the future |
F.Additionally, it opens the door for meaningful conversations about life’s challenges |
G.We’ve talked to different experts to get their best advice on how to create stronger bonds |
【推荐3】When going through major life changes, like changing careers, I would change the people with whom I spent the most time. We’ve all gone through periods when the people in our lives have changed—graduation, moving to a new city, getting a new job, joining a new club, etc. I don’t think I need to convince you just how much influence other people can have over your identity. If you’ve ever experienced a major switch in your people environment, then you know that you change as well.
Most people don’t make these choices consciously though. You might consciously decide to spend more time with a certain friend, or you may ask someone out on a date to begin a new relationship. But few people choose their existing friendships deliberately.
There’s no “getting rid of people”. People are always dropping into and out of each other’s lives. Associations grow into friendships, and friendships fade into associations. You don’t get rid of anyone. The truth is that in order to make room for new people and new experiences, you may need to loosen up some of your existing connections.
What about loyalty? Shouldn’t you always be loyal to your friends? Once you have a close friend, even if their influence on you is slightly harmful, shouldn’t you stick by them?
Loyalty to a friend sometimes means having to let go. It means being loyal to their highest and best as well. If someone is destroying his health by smoking, for example, you aren’t showing loyalty by smoking right along with him. True loyally sometimes requires that you break damaging connections, get yourself back on solid ground, and then decide what you can really do to help your friend.
It can take a lot of courage to tell someone, “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you in my life anymore." But even though this might seem like a selfish act at times, it’s often the best thing for the other person too. If a relationship is holding you back in some way, understand that it is also hurting the other person. For example, if you work for a violent boss, your acceptance of that situation is considered to be silent approval, encouraging your boss to continue to behave violently.
1. When experiencing major life changes, people may ________.A.join a new social community | B.influence their friends around |
C.choose their friendships purposely | D.have their people environment changed |
A.Everyone has at least one friend. |
B.Friendship still exists though there’s less connection. |
C.It is unnecessary to make new friends. |
D.You ought to treat your old and new friend equally. |
A.Never betray your close friends whatever happens. |
B.Correct their mistakes while you guard their goodness. |
C.Stick by your friends even though they do harm lo you. |
D.Break up with your friends immediately if they smoke. |
A.We should accept what we are told to do. |
B.We should stay silent and be in favor of it. |
C.We should bravely disobey him if he is wrong. |
D.We should give our boss courage to continue. |
【推荐1】When I grow up
In kindergarten, my class was asked to draw pictures, showing what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our drawings were expected to display our dream occupations. I remember pictures of ballerinas dancing, firefighters putting out a blaze, and astronauts leaping across the moon.
My picture showed a figure with brown hair holding a box of orange juice beside a counter. Underneath was my handwriting: “When I grow up, I want to work at Market Basket because it would be fun to swipe (刷) orange juice across the scanner.” Out of everything, my five-year-old self wished to work at the local grocery store.
When we are young, questions of what we want to be when we grow up are common. Yet we are not expected to respond with an answer that is likely to come true. However, when we become teens, we are asked the very same questions twice as often. The difference is, now we are supposed to answer with confidence.
Teens are expected to know exactly what we want to be and how we are going to achieve that goal. However, not all of us can be so sure. Even though I am in high school, I cannot answer with certainty. But I don’t consider that a bad thing. How am I supposed to know what I will want to spend my time doing at age 40?
When I think about the future, I definitely don’t see myself working at Market Basket, but in reality, if that was what would make me happy, I would do it. So, the next time someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up, I will simply say “happy”.
Happiness is a destination for everyone. We may want to walk different paths in life, but we all want to be happy wherever we end up. Choose your path, but don’t worry too much about choosing wisely. Make a mistake or two and try new things. But always remember, if you’re not happy, you’re not at the end of your journey yet.
1. What did the author want to be when he was in kindergarten?A.An astronaut. | B.A firefighter. | C.A dancer. | D.A cashier. |
A.kindergartners are able to display their dream jobs with confidence |
B.kindergartners have limited imagination of their dream occupations |
C.teenagers are supposed to be clear about what they want to be |
D.teenagers stick to the path they chose when they were young |
A.the principle of growth lies in human choice |
B.happiness is the meaning of existence |
C.it is never too late to correct mistakes |
D.your future depends on your dreams |
A.Different stages of life. | B.Career guidance. |
C.The real goal of life. | D.Career paths. |
【推荐2】Two of the saddest words in the English language are “if only(要是……就好了)”. I live my life with the goal of never having to say those words, because they convey regret, lost opportunities, mistakes, and disappointment.
My father is famous in our family for saying “Take the extra minute to do it right.” I always try to live by the “extra minute” rule. When my children were young and likely to cause accidents, I always thought about what I could do to avoid an “if only” moment, whether it was something minor like moving a cup full of hot coffee away from the edge of a counter, or something that required a little more work such as taping padding (衬垫) onto the sharp corners of a glass coffee table.
I don’t only avoid those “if only” moments when it comes to safety. It’s equally important to avoid “if only” in our personal relationships. We all know people who lost a loved one and regretted that they had foregone an opportunity to say “I love you” or “I forgive you.” When my father announced he was going to the eye doctor across from my office on Good Friday, I told him that it was a holiday for my company and I wouldn’t be here. But then I thought about the fact that he was 84 years old and I realized that I shouldn’t give up an opportunity to see him. I called him and told him I had decided to go to work on my day off after all.
I know there will still be occasions when I have to say “if only” about something, but my life is definitely better because of my policy of doing everything possible to avoid that eventuality. And even though it takes an extra minute to do something right, or it occasionally takes an hour or two in my busy schedule to make a personal connection, I know that I’m doing the right thing. I’m buying myself peace of mind and that’s the best kind of insurance for my emotional well-being.
1. Which of the following is an example of the “extra minute” rule?A.Start the car the moment everyone is seated. |
B.Leave the room for a minute with the iron working. |
C.Wait for an extra minute so that the steak tastes better. |
D.Move an object out of the way before it trips someone. |
A.take up | B.stay away |
C.run out of | D.give up |
A.keep her appointment with the eye doctor |
B.meet her father who was already an old man |
C.join in the holiday celebration of the company |
D.finish her work before the deadline approached |
A.The Peace of Mind | B.The Most Useful Rule |
C.The Two Saddest Words | D.The Emotional Well-being |
【推荐3】In the sport of track and field, athletes compete not only with one another but against themselves, and in each race they try to achieve the new personal best.
For one Nebraska teen running in what would likely to be his final cross-country outing before graduating from high school, his personal best turned out not to be marking the fastest time but displaying the biggest heart.
Although it was a long shot when he came out from the starting position last Thursday, Brandon Schutt from Bellevue East High School knew if his time was good enough that day, he still had the potential to qualify for the upcoming state meet. A mile into the 3.1-mile race, however, Schutt realized he wasn’t going to be able to keep up the necessary momentum (势头). Rather than risking injury, he slowed to a comfortable pace that would allow him to simply get pleasure from the moment and the day.
Meanwhile, Blake Cerveny from Omaha Burke High School was running a very different kind of race. Aiming to beat his own personal record, after a fast start, he continued to push himself hard.
With less than 400 meters to go, Cerveny’s legs cramped up (抽筋), but he didn’t give up. Cerveny rose from the ground and continued on, only to fall again after another 150 meters and again... About 100 meters away from the finish line, he lay curled on the ground. His legs had simply given out.
Before Cerveny’s dad could reach his son, Brandon Schutt was at his side to offer a helping hand. The two completed the final meters of the course. Schutt even made sure the injured runner crossed the finish line first, securing his opponent a faster time.
In today’s competitive world, while the emphasis in athletics is so often on breaking records, it is inspiring to see an athlete like Brandon Schutt.
1. What does the underlined phrase “a long shot” in Paragraph 3 mean?A.Simple to compete. | B.Unlikely to succeed. |
C.Exciting to be qualified. | D.Surprising to break records. |
A.To have a final push. | B.To help Blake Cerveny. |
C.To examine his wounds. | D.To enjoy the competition. |
A.He didn’t cross the finish line. | B.He was generous to help others. |
C.He was a person of determination. | D.He was affected by his physical disability. |
A.The love for sports. | B.The sport of track and field. |
C.The importance of perseverance. | D.The value of true sportsmanship. |
【推荐1】First, car makers wanted to take the human out of driving. Now, motorcycle manufacturers (制造商)want to do the same. But just as the driverless car movement has faced skepticism, it's not entirely clear that the world needs autonomous motorcycles.
What would a self-driving motorcycle do? It would be designed to let the rider sit back and relax while the machine drives by itself. Manufacturers have actually been creating and improving prototypes (原型)of self-driving motorcycles for years, and they're only just now beginning to share them with the public. For instance, AB Dynamics and AutoRD released the Autonomous BMW Cl. It comes with autonomous software, GPS, and re-balancing technology.
Yamaha's Motoroid is a model that uses artificial intelligence and self-balancing technology. The Motoroid sounds very futuristic, but it can't drive on its own. It needs a rider to make turns. Another example of an autonomous-light motorcycle is Honda's Riding Assist-e, which can change the center of gravity autonomously. However, like the Motoroid, it's not completely self-riding and isn't ready for a highway on its own.
Safety concerns for autonomous motorcycles are similar to those that trouble self-driving cars Firstly, the autonomous system may make a mistake and endanger the rider. Self-driving cars have an unfortunate record of running red lights and causing accidents. Professor Adam says, "So one can be forgiven for worrying about the safety of a two-wheeled speed machine with no one behind the handlebars. '' Secondly, there's the question of responsibility: Who is at fault if a self-driving bike crashes into another car? More importantly, it's not easy to satisfy the official regulations before autonomous motorcycles ride on the road. And to develop the industry will cost billions of dollars.
But there's the biggest problem with all of these motorcycles. One of the joys of driving motorcycles is the driving. It seems unlikely that a rider, like a high-speed motorcycle collector who loves the thrill of turning around corners, will give up the experience of the ride.
The prototypes for self-riding motorcycles are here, and manufacturers are busy putting them to the test, but it might be a while before we see them on the open road.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?A.Manufacturers' competition with each other is quite fierce. |
B.Manufacturers are quite creative when making driverless cars. |
C.Manufacturers are very optimistic about self-driving motorcycles. |
D.Manufacturers have made some progress in promoting self-driving motorcycles. |
A.autonomous motorcycles still have a long way to go |
B.Yamaha and Honda compete with each other fiercely |
C.autonomous motorcycles have a big improvement in safety |
D.Yamaha and Honda have defeated other autonomous motorcycle makers |
A.autonomous motorcycle should obey traffic regulations |
B.it's convenient and safe to ride an autonomous motorcycle |
C.mistakes made by autonomous motorcycles can be forgiven |
D.it's normal that autonomous motorcycles' safety is doubted |
A.They are unable to appeal to many riders. |
B.They can't guarantee the riders, safety. |
C.They can't suit the official regulations. |
D.They are too costly to produce. |
A.Self-riding motorcycles will be very popular one day. |
B.Self-riding motorcycles are necessary to social development. |
C.Users are likely to lose fun when riding self-riding motorcycles. |
D.People will be fond of self-riding motorcycles for its convenience. |
【推荐2】Looking back is a wonderful thing. It allows you to see what has led you here and, hopefully, how society has changed and improved.
Take, for instance, my career goal. First, I wanted, in 1999, to be a “farmer”, soon archaeologist, then driving instructor and somewhere along the way, footballer.
I had grown up in a football-loving family. I remember the exact moment when I said “I’m sad I can’t be a footballer” while watching the game with Dad as a pre-teen. He asked why not. “Because I’m not a boy.” He immediately responded, “You can, if you want to.” “Yeah, I suppose so,” I sighed, “but no one watches women’s football.”
Looking back, I can see exactly why I felt like that. At school, there was an unwritten rule that sports like hockey and netball were “girl” sports and rugby and football were for the boys. I’d never seen a women’s football match on TV. You see, you can’t be what you can’t see, and lack of representation leads, at best, to misunderstanding, and at worst, fear and negative opinions.
Today, the Lionesses will take on Scotland in the World Cup, and people across the world will tune in — over 950,000 tickets have been sold so far. But, although women’s football is one of FIFA’s best investments — with a pound for pound return, the majority of female players are earning under a fair wage. Some argue that’s because viewing statistics are lower than those of men’s, but the rise in support shows the demand is there. Hopefully, more investment will push female football forward.
Today, I’ll be cheering on the Lionesses, because it’ll mean talented, skillful female footballers being broadcast into millions of homes and maybe, just maybe, a little girl believing that she can also be a Lioness one day.
1. Which of the following best describes the author’s career goals?A.Realistic. | B.Changeable. |
C.Consistent. | D.Long-sought. |
A.She was not talented enough. |
B.People lost faith in women’s football. |
C.Girls were forbidden to play football. |
D.She had no example to follow. |
A.It’s better paid than men’s. | B.It is increasingly popular. |
C.It has no market demand. | D.It is not profitable. |
A.Society advances with time. | B.Women deserve equal rights. |
C.Each goal is worth pursuing. | D.Hard work always pays off. |
【推荐3】Reducing class size has traditionally been seen as an important way to improve a student's educational experience.
Many public opinion studies have shown that both teachers and parents favor small class size. Teachers who go on strike are often seeking lower classroom numbers among other better working conditions. Many often believe that smaller classes would permit teachers to give more personal attention to their student. This can theoretically lead to improved academic results for student.
But one recent study suggests there is not much research-based evidence to support this idea. The researchers say the idea of smaller class sizes has been studied and debated for many years. However, they noted a lack of clear research to support class size reductions.
The study notes that one of the main problems with reducing class sizes is that it can have very high costs. Increasing class size is one of the most common ways school systems control education spending. Financial limitations make it very difficult for many schools to reduce the number of students in the classroom.
The teachers' goal was to examine the major research studies already completed on the subject. They especially centered on studies that tried to measure whether the smaller class size resulted in greater success for students.
'The researchers conclude that there is some evidence to suggest that reducing class size may lead to some improvement in a student's rending achievement. But they said "the effect is very small." They found just a 53-percent chance that a randomly selected test score from a student from a small class would be higher than the selected score of a student from a lager class. For mathematics achievement, the result was 49 percent. This led the researchers to conclude that there would be little benefit to math students in a smaller class size.
1. Why do some teachers prefer reducing class size?A.They believe it may help improve students' academic performance. |
B.It'll greatly better their working conditions. |
C.They think it will bring much attention to their efforts. |
D.It will offer them more time to relax. |
A.Making more profits. |
B.Attracting more students to study. |
C.Cutting down education expenses. |
D.Handling the problem of a lack of teachers. |
A.has nothing to do with students' scores |
B.has a minor effect in some fields |
C.has already led to greater academic success |
D.isn't practical because parents object to it |
A.The Future of the Class Size Development |
B.People's Preference for Class Size |
C.The Cost of Reducing Class Size |
D.The Little Influence of Reducing Class Size |