Confucius, a famous teacher , was a politician and philosopher who lived in “Spring and Autumn Period”. During his lifetime, he planted the seeds for China’s transformation by teaching thousands of people. Today, he is thought to be one of the world’s greatest teachers.
Confucius grew up in a poor family. As he grew up, Confucius worked to help his mother earn money. When he wasn’t working, he would read. His favorite thing to do was to learn. His mother saw this and did her best to help him learn. One day, rich families noticed how smart he was and offered him jobs counting their money and keeping track of their crops.
Confucius did this until he was 30 years old, but he always wanted to do more. He didn’t like the way rulers treated their subjects. He wanted to find a way to help people who were less fortunate than he was. Later, he founded the philosophy “Confucianism”. Confucianism states that by educating yourself, loving your family, and respecting tradition you could become a better person. Confucius believed a person could achieve these things by practicing self-discipline. For the rest of his life, Confucius traveled and taught the people of China about self-discipline and the importance of education. He even opened China’s first school that taught both the poor and the wealthy as equals. Although he became very famous among China’s lower classes, the rulers of China never accepted his teachings. Eventually, his philosophy of self-discipline helped China unite under one ruler and finally find peace. Today, Confucius is celebrated all over the world for his philosophy of education, equality, and peace over war, money, and injustice.
1. What can we know about Confucius from the passage?| A．He was once a farmer guiding people farming. | B．He was born in a politician family. |
| C．He once acted as a math teacher. | D．He devoted himself to social change. |
| A．themes. | B．courses. | C．people. | D．tests. |
| A．Self-discipline. | B．Self-confidence. | C．Respect. | D．Equality. |
| A．Doubtful | B．Supportive | C．Disappointed | D．Hopeful |
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【推荐1】My name is Jacob Cramer. I am a freshman at Orange High School.
In 2013, I founded an organization called Love for the Elderly. Many elderly people have no one to care for them, no one to look after them, and no one to love them. The elderly have paved the pathway of success for my generation. They deserve to be shown appreciation and kindness but are often ignored.
I am sure all of you have someone in your heart who has been at a nursing home. Think of them while I say this: they deserve the best and nothing but the best. The elderly are such an outstanding group, and their wisdom can most definitely be learned from. This idea of appreciating the elderly reverberated(回响) inside my head until finally, I decided it was time to step up and make a difference.
My passion for writing led me to create an organization, where people from all across the globe send letters filled with kindness and joy, from Iceland, Romania, Finland, Australia, and more. I then send these letters to senior centers, nursing homes, and retirement communities located all across the country. To this date, I have collected over 1,000 letters, and the response I have received has been truly unbelievable.
This past month, I had the opportunity to receive $100 from KindSpring through their monthly kindness contest to help my organization. This money has been of great help. We do not receive much money, and so it helped to pay for many costs, including postage and envelopes. This gesture of kindness has been very beneficial to my organization, and I could not be more appreciative. Thank you so much to KindSpring for this amazing opportunity. If any of you would like to get involved in my organization, please visit lovefortheelderly.org.
1. What does the author tell us about the elderly?| A．All are in bad condition. | B．They appreciate others’ kindness. |
| C．A few live a successful life. | D．Most get little love or care. |
| A．Outgoing and honest. | B．Kind and ambitious. |
| C．Aggressive but careful. | D．Considerate but silent. |
| A．To express his thanks to the organization. |
| B．To appeal to others to donate money. |
| C．To show mean behaviors of the organization. |
| D．To advertise for the organization. |
| A．Volunteer in Senior Centers—Your Choice |
| B．Stay Alone after Retirement—the Elderly’s Suffering |
| C．Love for the Elderly—a Chance to Show Kindness |
| D．Letters to Parents—the Way of Expressing Love |
【推荐2】I was in the middle of the Amazon (亚马逊) with my wife, who was there as a medical researcher. We flew on a small plane to a faraway village. We did not speak the local language, did not know the customs, and more often than not, did not entirely recognize the food. We could not have felt more foreign.
We were raised on books and computers, highways and cell phones, but now we were living in a village without running water or electricity It was easy for us to go to sleep at the end of the day feeling a little misunderstood.
Then one perfect Amazonian evening, with monkeys calling from beyond the village green, we played soccer. I am not good at soccer, but that evening it was wonderful. Everyone knew the rules. We all spoke the same language of passes and shots. We understood one another perfectly. As darkness came over the field and the match ended, the goal keeper, Juan, walked over to me and said in a matter-of-fact way, “In your home, do you have a moon too?” I was surprised.
After I explained to Juan that yes, we did have a moon and yes, it was very similar to his, I felt a sort of awe (敬畏) at the possibilities that existed in his world. In Juan’s world, each village could have its own moon. In Juan’s world, the unknown and undiscovered was vast and marvelous. Anything was possible.
In our society, we know that Earth has only one moon. We have looked at our planet from every angle and found all of the wildest things left to find. I can, from my computer at home, pull up satellite images of Juan’s village. There are no more continents and no more moons to search for, little left to discover. At least it seems that way.
Yet, as I thought about Juan’s question, I was not sure how much more we could really rule out. I am, in part, an ant biologist, so my thoughts turned to what we know about insect life and I knew that much in the world of insects remains unknown. How much, though? How ignorant (无知的) are we? The question of what we know and do not know constantly bothered me.
I began collecting newspaper articles about new species, new monkey, new spider…, and on and on they appear. My drawer quickly filled. I began a second drawer for more general discoveries: new cave system discovered with dozens of nameless species, four hundred species of bacteria found in the human stomach. The second drawer began to fill and as it did I wondered whether there were bigger discoveries out there, not just species, but life that depends on things thought to be useless, life even without DNA. I started a third drawer for these big discoveries. It fills more slowly, but all the same, it fills.
In looking into the stories of biological discovery, I also began to find something else, a collection of scientists, usually brilliant occasionally half-mad, who made the discoveries. Those scientists very often see the same things that other scientists see, but they pay more attention to them, and they focus on them to the point of exhaustion (穷尽), and at the risk of the ridicule of their peers. In looking for the stories of discovery, I found the stories of these people and how their lives changed our view of the world.
We are repeatedly willing to imagine we have found most of what is left to discover. We used to think that insects were the smallest organisms (生物), and that nothing lived deeper than six hundred meters. Yet, when something new turns up, more often than not, we do not even know its name.
1. How did the author feel on his arrival in the Amazon?| A．Out of place. | B．Full of joy. | C．Sleepy. | D．Regretful. |
| A．He learned more about the local language. |
| B．They had a nice conversation with each other. |
| C．They understood each other while playing. |
| D．He won the soccer game with the goal keeper. |
| A．The question was too straightforward. |
| B．Juan knew so little about the world. |
| C．The author didn’t know how to answer. |
| D．The author didn’t think Juan was sincere. |
| A．To sort out what we have known. |
| B．To deepen his research into Amazonians. |
| C．To improve his reputation as a biologist. |
| D．To learn more about local cultures. |
| A．They shifted their viewpoints frequently. |
| B．They followed other scientists closely. |
| C．They often criticized their fellow scientists. |
| D．They conducted in-depth and close studies. |
| A．The Possible and the Impossible . |
| B．The Known and the Unknown . |
| C．The Civilized and the Uncivilized . |
| D．The Ignorant and the Intelligent. |
【推荐3】I believe in thank you notes. I believe in sending them and in receiving them. Absolutely for gifts—every gift REQUIRES written acknowledgement —but also for random acts of kindness or thoughtful behavior and for hospitality.
Ask anyone, "Hey, how are you doing?" and they will most likely respond, "Busy. I am SOOO busy. There is just too much going on."
Everyone is busy. It’s hard to make time for yourself much less for others. That’s why it is so special when someone takes the time to do something nice. It may be something small, such as checking to see if you have books that need to be returned to the library since they are going. Or something bigger, like inviting you over for dinner because they know you’ve spent the day carting around things in the yard and will be too tired to cook.
I believe people who make the effort to stop what they are doing and look around to see what another human being might need deserve to be formally acknowledged and appreciated. And I think that appreciation is more genuine and more meaningful if it isn’t especially easy.
To me, a breezy "Thanks a million,” “You are a life saver,” or “You’re the best!" is too easy and, though true, lacks the appropriate depth of gratitude. It’s what you say to a clerk in a store who helped you locate an item or made your shopping easier.
I am very fortunate to have friends across the world. I make every effort to stay in touch and see them whenever possible. But after we leave our friends’ homes, I bask in the warm recollections of shared laughter, lively conversation, and newly-rich memories. And that is when I begin to compose my thank you note—a heartfelt expression of how their hospitality, generosity and kindness made me feel and why I treasure their friendship. It is important to me that those who take the time to make me a priority are aware that I am grateful. I believe in thank you notes.
1. What belief does the author have?| A．Showing her appreciation by sending gifts. | B．Sending and receiving thank you notes. |
| C．Receiving grateful presents from other people. | D．Accepting thank you notes and expensive gifts. |
| A．The strength of words is obvious. | B．Only saying thankful words are not enough. |
| C．Saying gratitude words are necessary to the clerk. | D．The usual words that customers used to say. |
| A．By listing numbers. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following the order of time. | D．By giving examples. |
| A．What’s a Thank-you Note? | B．How to Write a Thank-you Note? |
| C．A Thank-you Note Really Matters! | D．How Thank-you Notes Change Me! |
【推荐1】What do we mean by responsibility? To put it simply, it is a duty to consider the consequences of our actions. In other words, we have a duty to control our behaviour.
When we are children, we have few responsibilities. Our parents look after us and we generally don’t have to worry about food or shelter. As we grow up, we gradually need to be responsible for more and more things. We learn how to run our own baths, make our own decisions, and realize that we have moral duties. As adults, we are responsible for all aspects of our lives. If there are any problems, we have to handle them ourselves.
We also have responsibilities that go beyond ourselves. Parents have the responsibility to look after their children, ensuring that they have a stable upbringing. Beyond the family, people have a responsibility towards the community as a whole. It is in fact up to us as a society to make this world a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
When we fail in our responsibilities, the consequences are most serious. Teenagers who abandon their studies might ruin their own lives. It is even more horrible to hear about parents who, by not caring for their own children properly, are putting them in danger. Likewise, by not following the traffic rules, careless drivers kill more than a million people around the world every year. Certain professions in our society, such as police officers, exist to protect the public, and the people who do these jobs often risk their own lives in order to do their duty. However, their efforts depend on the support of ordinary people. If we ignore our own responsibilities, society will become dangerous. On a global level, our entire human civilization may be heading towards disaster unless we work together to save our environment.
Furthermore, whether we are shouldering heavy responsibilities, like doctors or lots, or simply taking responsibility for our own learning as students, we will always be judged on how well we perform our duties. For this reason, the hardest part of acting responsibly is admitting that we failed or that we made a mistake. Let’s say you visit your friend’s house and accidentally damage an expensive teapot while your friend is in another room. The honest thing to do is of course to admit your fault and apologize. Because this requires courage, some people take another route: they pretend that nothing happened. Perhaps a broken teapot might not be such a big deal, but in any given situation, we can choose to act responsibly, and it is somewhat through this choice that we decide what our lives are going to be like.
To summarize, responsibilities are an essential part of life since our actions have consequences. Responsibilities aren’t fun, but we can make the burden lighter by sharing them. If everyone considered how their actions would affect themselves and other people, the world would be a better place.
1. The passage tells us that .| A．children have no responsibilities |
| B．adults often risk their own lives in order to do their duty |
| C．our responsible actions would make the world a better place |
| D．responsibilities aren’t fun unless we can make the burden lighter by sharing them |
| A．to control our behaviour | B．to handle problems ourselves |
| C．to affect ourselves and other people | D．to admit our fault and apologize |
| A．Consequence of Responsibility | B．Significance of Responsibility |
| C．Essential Part of Responsibility | D．Development of Responsibility |
I: Introduction P: Point Sp: Sub-point (次要点) C: Conclusion
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
【推荐2】Handles Franklin, who plays guard for the Harlem Globetrotters, is well-known for his amazing skills at handling a basketball.
Whether it’s dribbling(运球) a ball while lying on the floor and spinning around or shooting the ball from half court, facing backward on his knees, Franklin and his teammates are sure to amaze basketball fans of all ages when the world-famous team makes a stop at the Greensboro gym at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
During its visit to Greensboro, Franklin said the team will travel around to different schools, teaching and encouraging children to stay in school and strive for their dreams. “As a team, we try to be a positive influence to children,” Franklin said in a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon. “I believe that our greatest strength is the ability to emotionally connect with everyone in the crowd.”
“Education is the most important key to success. You always need something to fall back on,” Franklin said. He has earned a bachelor’s degree, along with a master’s degree in social work.
He explained that winning is not everything. “Nobody is perfect. We play to entertain people and influence lives,” he said.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Harlem Globetrotters, Franklin said, is that they are an all-African-American team. This is not true. He explained that there are actually two Caucasian people and a Hispanic male, along with a female player.
Since joining the Globetrotters, Franklin explained that it has given him an appreciation for life and a desire to be the best person he can. The Globetrotters are more than a basketball team; they are a group of diverse individuals who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives.
Tickets range from $15 to $95 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800)745567-3000142 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.harlemglobetrotters. com.
1. The players of the Harlem Globetrotters ______.| A．don’t take part in real matches | B．entertain fans with amazing skills |
| C．all have received a good education | D．teach people basketball skills for free |
| A．knowledge means a lot whatever one does |
| B．his success comes from his self-confidence |
| C．they never mind whether they’ll win or not |
| D．the purpose of people’s life is to succeed |
| A．It’s a circus team rather than a sports team. |
| B．Most of its players come from African countries. |
| C．It plays only one game in Greensboro. |
| D．Its aim is to bring changes to people’s lives. |
| A．a comment | B．a biography | C．an advertisement | D．a business letter |
【推荐3】Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as non-organic food, but new parents and pet owners are willing to pay up to 200% more for organic food. However, there are people who think it is a waste of money.
There is one main difference between organic and non-organic food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides (杀虫剂). In many countries organic foods have special labels. These guarantee that the products are natural.
Some people think organic means locally grown. Originally this was true. Over time organic farming became more difficult. The demand for organic food grew larger than the supply. Small companies had to sell out to large companies. There weren't enough organic ingredients (原料), such as grain and cattle. This made it difficult for many organic companies to stay in business. Today, many large companies have an organic line of products.
Is organic food more nutritious? This is part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is. They think agricultural chemicals cause health problems such as cancer. Many health professionals disagree. Few studies prove that organic foods prevent health problems. Health specialists worry more about bacteria (病毒), such as E.coli and salmonella. These can get into contact with organic and non- organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully. Handling meat carefully is important too.
Most people agree that naturally grown food tastes better. Is tastier food worth the extra money? This is a matter of opinion. Whether it is healthier or not may require more research. However, organic consumers argue it is better to be safe than sorry.
1. What is probably the major concern of organic food consumers?| A．Price. | B．Safety. | C．Freshness. | D．Variety. |
| A．Grow your own food. | B．Reduce the use of pesticides. |
| C．Make sure the food is clean. | D．Buy large companies’ products. |
| A．It tastes better. | B．It is easier to grow. |
| C．It contains more fat. | D．It is more nutritious. |
【推荐1】On a Saturday afternoon, Tasi Lama had just finished lunch and was going to wash his hands when the ground under his feet started shaking violently. Objects began to fall down from overhead and rising above the crashes, he could hear terrified screams all around him. Several months later, the painter from Nepal's Kathmandu Valley remembers that day more vividly than his wedding day or the birth of his son.
It was on April 25, 2015 that an earthquake hit Nepal, the former Himalayan kingdom out of sight between its giant neighbors China and India, 81 years after a similar disaster. This killer quake and aftershocks that continued for more than a month afterward killed over 8,000 people, destroyed thousands of houses, and ruined an economy already damaged by many other reasons.
It was also of consequence for the ancient art style Nepali painters such as Lama have been practicing for generations. “We left our homes and lived in the open fields outside the city, under tarpaulins（防水油布）for a month," Lama said. Many of the houses, built of mud and bricks, were in ruins and the aftershocks continued, though less frequently. One day, I went to my showroom to get some of the paintings out and the Earth started shaking again. I dropped everything and ran out for my life. ”
Dinesh Lama, a 32-year-old artist from Nepal's capital city, Kathmandu, said his Boudha Stupa Thangka Center, which functions as his showroom as well as his studio, has remained shut since the earthquake, as his artisans(工匠）are too traumatized （心理受到创伤的）to take up the brush again. “We lived in temporary tents for more than a month," he said. “When they try to sit inside the studio and paint, fear makes their hands shake. Luckily, we have got a lot of aid from China. I believe we will come back to our home soon. ”
1. What can we conclude from the second paragraph?| A．The April 25 earthquake made Nepal disappear for long. |
| B．This quake caused more deaths than the one 81 years ago. |
| C．Nepal also suffered a serious disaster due to the 1934 quake. |
| D．The earthquake is the only reason for Nepal being backward. |
| A．Many Nepali painters lost their lives in the quake. |
| B．Only the houses built of mud and bricks broke down. |
| C．His showroom fell into ruins after the quake. |
| D．He had no choice but to stop working for long. |
| A．That his showroom had been totally destroyed. |
| B．That his artisans were incapable of working. |
| C．That he couldn't sell his works as usual. |
| D．That he would never pick up his brush to draw. |
| A．Earthquake Brings Damage to Ancient Art |
| B．Earthquake Causes Many Artists Out of Job |
| C．China Gives a Timely Hand to Nepal |
| D．Nepal Suffers from Two Nonstop Quakes |
【推荐2】I was shocked at the news that Daisy-May Demetre, 9, became the first child double amputee(截肢)to walk on the runway at New York Fashion Week in September on the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Daisy-May, of Birmingham, was born with fibular hemimelia (腓骨半肢畸形).The condition is rare, occurring in 1 in 50,000 births. When she was 18 months old, Daisy-May's parents chose to have both of the young girl's legs amputated-the right above the knee and the left below the knee-in the hopes of giving her a better quality of life with prosthetics(假肢).Later on, she used prosthetic legs to help her walk and move.
“We had the choice for her to live like that or to go for the operation,” Alex, Daisy- May's father, said. “We didn't know at the time that Daisy-May would be as good as she is now. Instead of being discouraged by prosthetic legs, she is inspiring everyone by showing them who she is.”
She is, in many ways, just like any fifth-grader.、In school, she prefers English over math, and loves gymnastics. She is a gymnast as well as a model. But it's her moves on the runway that shed the most confidence.
She's been modeling for 18 months and has already dominated London Fashion Week, having worked. for Nike, River Island and several other high street brands in the UK. She was even named Child of Courage in the Pride of Birmingham Awards for inspiring other children to dream big in the face of immense challenges.
In the opinion of Daisy-May's father, modeling doesn't define Daisy-May. Rather, it's a small part of who she is. She just does Daisy. It is the way she goes about life with a smile on her face. Whether it's dancing, singing-she is a very special little girl.
1. What caused Daisy-May to miss her both legs while still a baby?| A．A rare birth illness. |
| B．An expected accident. |
| C．A Paris Fashion Show. |
| D．An unsuccessful operation. |
| A．Daisy-May was unwilling to go to operation. |
| B．Daisy-May was disappointed by her missing legs. |
| C．Daisy-May's father thinks Daisy-May is amazing. |
| D．Daisy-May's father considers Daisy-May is modest. |
| A．Speaking English fluently. |
| B．Working out math problems. |
| C．Doing graceful(优雅的)gymnastics. |
| D．Walking on the runway as a model. |
| A．Singing and dancing in a special way. |
| B．Taking on life with a smile on her face. |
| C．Pursuing to become a global inspiration. |
| D．Being determined to be a world-famous model. |
【推荐3】Everybody can suffer from stress. No matter what your age is, you can feel stressed out by things that are happening in your life.
Teenagers, however, have many more opportunities to get stressed than people in any other age group. Being a teenager is hard. You are not a child any more, but you are not r adult, even though you have to deal with some very grown-up problems and decisions. Families can be one of the biggest causes of stress, such as problems with parents arguing at home or problems with brothers and sisters. Teenagers also have a lot of stress from school, either from their teachers or from their friends. Some teenagers also feel stressed about choosing their education after high school. Getting a place at university can be very difficult and some cannot afford to go to university. The stress about getting a job when finishing school is hard for some teenagers. There are so many young people finishing school and not enough jobs for them.
Sadly, there is nothing we can do to remove these causes of stress from the lives of teenagers, but you can learn the best way to deal with it. Talking to people is one of the best ways to deal with stress. It may sound simple, but it is true. A problem shared is a problem halved.
1. Why is being a teenager often difficult?| A．Because even though you are not an adult, you must deal with adult problems. |
| B．Because even though you are an adult, you must deal with children’s problems. |
| C．Because even though you are a teenager, you must do a lot of homework. |
| D．Because adults often make them feel stressed. |
| A．by asking them to go to university |
| B．by helping them with their homework |
| C．as families never support their children enough |
| D．as teenagers quarrel with their parents, and their brothers or sisters |
| A．Because there are no jobs. |
| B．Because a job is more difficult than school work. |
| C．Because there is a lot of competition for jobs. |
| D．Because there is a lot of competition for places at university. |
| A．by sharing our problems with our friends | B．by forgetting about our problems |
| C．by getting a place at university | D．by not trying to find a job |
【推荐1】We all know that little excitement from creating a popular post on Facebook. Watching the number of likes can be both attractive and addictive.
That same buzz (兴奋) can have its disadvantages, though. We all know the feeling of watching other people’s posts get unending positive feedback. We tell ourselves that the only reason why these people are getting attention is that they’re popular and good-looking. We sink into self-loathing (自我讨厌) and comparison. Therefore, after experimenting with hiding likes on Instagram in select countries, Facebook is exploring doing the same on its main platform.
That Facebook is considering this is encouraging. After years of appearing to ignore criticism about its effects on society, the company finally seems to be listening. However, there is a basic conflict between Facebook’s business model and its new-found altruism (利己主义). Relying on Facebook to look after its users’ mental health is a bit like asking McDonald’s to keep its customers’ blood pressure under control: At some point, a company’s need to make money is not in line with its supposed desire to do good.
The problem with likes is that they mark out how successful or happy others are, which in turn can promote a feeling of envy and insecurity. It’s a real phenomenon. However, Facebook would certainly want you to post things that get more likes. The company’s success relies upon you posting more and encouraging more “engagement” from other people so that the value of Facebook’s targeted ad business increase.
Facebook’s reliance on engagement is deep-rooted, and it destroys a supposed desire to prevent the platform from encouraging envy. Without a doubt, hiding likes can have some benefit, but the way Facebook is built means that this will always be a small step at best.
1. Why does Facebook try hiding likes on its main platform?| A．To catch more users’ eyes. |
| B．To reduce envy from other people. |
| C．To speed the operation of the platform. |
| D．To encourage users’ posting positive things. |
| A．Facebook focuses more on the users’ interests. |
| B．Facebook cares less about users’ mental health. |
| C．Facebook makes a lot of money from the users. |
| D．Facebook does better than McDonald’s in service. |
| A．The growth of value. | B．More users’ needs. |
| C．The increases of desire. | D．More users’ security. |
| A．Critical. | B．Positive. |
| C．Objective. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐2】Several years ago, KenKeegan organized a gathering in Las Vegas, with a group of architects involved, who were asked what it would take to design a public school which used 50 percent less energy, cost much less to build and obviously improved students learning. “I think half of them fell off their chairs,” Keegan says.
Keegan is in charge of the management school facilities for Clark County, Nevada, a district roughly the size of Massachusetts. By 2028, 143,000 additional students will enter the already crowded public-education system. Keegan needs 73 new schools to house them. Four architecture teams have nearly finished designing primary school prototypes. With the intention of constructing their schools in 2019, the district will assess how well the schools perform before allowing the winners to conduct their designs in 50 to 70 new buildings.
Green schools keep emerging all over, but in Clark County, which stands out for its vastness, such aggressive targets are difficult because design requirements like more natural light for students go against the realities of a desert climate. “One of the biggest obstacles is getting the right site orientation,” Mark. Mc, a director at SH Architecture, says. His team recently completed a high school in Las Vegas. “You have the same building, same set of windows, but if its orientation is incorrect and it faces the sun, it will be really expensive to cool.”
Surprisingly, the man responsible for one of the most progressive green-design competitions has doubts about ideas of eco-friendly buildings. “I don’t believe in the new green religion,” Keegan says, “Some of the building technologies that you put forward are impractical. I’m only interested in those that work.” But he doesn’t mind if some green features inspire students. He says he hopes to set up green energy systems that allow them to learn about the process of harvesting wind and solar power. “You never know what’s going to start the interest of a child to study math and science,” he says.
1. What can be inferred from the architects’ reaction in Paragraph 1?| A．Half of them lost balance in excitement. |
| B．Disbelief was obviously seen. |
| C．Most of them expressed little interest. |
| D．They burst into cheers. |
| A．Assessment－Construction－Design. |
| B．Assessment－Design－Construction. |
| C．Design－Construction－Assessment. |
| D．Design－Assessment－Construction. |
| A．The large size. | B．Limited facilities. |
| C．The desert climate. | D．Poor natural resources. |
| A．questionable | B．out of date | C．advanced | D．practical. |
【推荐3】What a Messy Desk Says About You
For some time, psychologists have been studying how personality traits affect health and health-related choices. Not surprisingly, they have found that people blessed with innate conscientiousness, meaning that they are organized and predictable, typically eat better and live longer than people who are disorderly. They also tend to have immaculate offices.
What has been less clear is whether neat environments can produce good habits even in those who aren’t necessarily innately conscientious. To find out, researchers at the University of Minnesota conducted a series of experiments. In the first experiment, they randomly assigned a group of college-age students to spend time in two office spaces, one of which was very neat, the other wildly cluttered (乱堆) with papers and other work-related stuff. The students spent their time filling out questionnaires unrelated to the study. After 10 minutes, they were told they could leave with an apple or a chocolate bar. Those students who sat in the orderly office were twice as likely to choose the apple as those who sat among the mess.
A second experiment, however, found that working in chaos has its advantages, too. In this one, college students were placed in a messy or a neat office and asked to dream up new uses for Ping-Pong balls. Those in messy spaces generated ideas that were significantly more creative, according to two independent judges, than those in offices where stacks of papers and other objects were neatly arranged.
The results were something of a surprise, says Dr. Vohs, the leader of the study. Few previous studies found much virtue in disorder. The broken window theory, proposed decades ago, holds that even slight disorder and neglect can encourage indifference and poor discipline.
But in the study by Dr. Vohs, disordered offices encouraged originality and a search for novelty. In the final portion of the study, adults were given the choice of adding a health “boost” to their lunchtime smoothie that was labeled either “new” or “classic.” The volunteers in the messy space were far more likely to choose the new one; those in the tidy office generally chose the classic version. “Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition,” Dr. Vohs and her co-authors conclude in the study, “which can produce fresh insights.”
The implications of these findings are also practical. “My advice would be, if you need to think outside the box for a future project”, Dr. Vohs says, “then let the clutter rise and free your imagination. But if your primary goal is to eat well or to go to the gym, pick up around your office first. By doing this, the naturally messy can acquire some of the discipline of the conscientious.”
1. The underlined word “immaculate” in paragraph 1 probably means ______.| A．messy | B．tidy |
| C．terrible | D．comfortable |
| A．Chaos begets chaos. | B．Misfortune may be an actual blessing. |
| C．Bad news has wings. | D．When a door shuts, a window opens. |
| A．More virtue exists in organized people. |
| B．Creativity results from tidiness and discipline. |
| C．Disorderly surroundings help to create new ideas. |
| D．Workers’ good habits guarantee the success of a project. |
| A．The naturally neat people tend to be very creative. |
| B．A messy office will cause quite low working efficiency. |
| C．Environments can affect people’s way of thinking and behavior. |
| D．People’s personalities are determined by their working environments. |
