【推荐1】How Laughing at Yourself Makes You Attractive

Have you ever embarrassed yourself in public and got laughed at for it ?    1    And it’s okay—we should even have a laugh about them.

● Laughing at yourself means accepting who you really are. You may feel bad about yourself because of past misfortune. However, it’s normal to be imperfect. What’s important is that you should be honest with yourself about who you are.    2     You won’t be able to laugh at yourself without self-acceptance.

● Laughing at yourself helps increase your confidence. When you’re able to stay optimistic and laugh at yourself, you are likely to be more successful in life.    3    .More importantly, it helps you realize your own weaknesses, so you know which areas to do better in.

●    4    .Laughing at someone else may hurt their feelings even if you didn’t intend to, while laughing at yourself does not.—You might even bring a smile to their faces. People will like it, because it shows that you have the courage to do so and you’re being real about your imperfections.

    5    .So instead of blaming yourself, try to think of your mistakes, in a positive way and accept yourself just as you are. Learn to laugh at yourself and you will be more attractive.

A．Laughing at yourself makes you popular.

B．Accept yourself despite your imperfections.

C．You don’t need to take yourself seriously all the time.

D．Chances are that we all have these kinds of experiences.

E．Laughing at yourself changes an ideal image of yourself.

F．Just remember that humans all make mistakes.

G．This is because laughing at yourself contributes to your mental health.

【推荐2】Do you like chocolate? It’s popular all over the world, but why? Scientists have been trying to discover its secrets.

The main thing is that chocolate makes us happy. This may have something to do with the 380 known chemicals found in it. The problem is that many of these chemicals appear in other types of food too. So, it’s difficult to know why the ones in chocolate make us feel good. But we aren’t all lost. Adam Drewnowski at the University of Michigan found that chocolate makes the human brain produce natural opiates, called opioids(鸦片). These can stop pain and make us feel good.

Others think that we feel good after eating chocolate because of a chemical called anandamide. This occurs naturally in the brain and seems to give us a feeling of happiness. Normally, our levels of anandamide are very low and our body uses it quickly. But two scientists, Emmanuelle di Tomaso of Harvard University and Daniele Piomelli of the University of California believe that the anandamide in chocolate raises levels of the chemical in our brain. And other substances in chocolate slow down the speed at which we use it. So, chocolate helps us feel happier for longer! Great!

But which chocolate is the best? Well, for a start, there’s more anandamide in dark chocolate than milk chocolate. So, you need to buy some dark chocolate. Then, you should follow these five tips from connoisseur chocolate makers Ghirardelli. They say that when choosing chocolate, you need to use all five senses:

1. Sight: good chocolate has a shine to it.

2. Smell: rub the chocolate with your finger to release the aroma. It should have a deep chocolate smell.

3. Sound: when you break a piece of chocolate it should snap crisply, creating a sound similar to that of a thin piece of wood being broken.

4. Touch: the chocolate should melt easily in your mouth becoming a thick liquid.

5. Taste: good chocolate should not taste too sweet or too bitter.

1. Why does the author mention opioids in Paragraph 2?

A．To prove chocolate contains the same chemicals as opioids.

B．To show the sharp contrast between chocolate and opioids.

C．To suggest that chocolate is as highly addictive as opioids.

D．To help explain the reason why chocolate brings pleasure.

2. The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 3 refers to _______.

A．anandamide	B．chocolate
C．opiate	D．Brain

3. Which of the following best suits “perfect chocolate” according to chocolate makers?

A．Milk chocolate that produces a dull sound when broken.

B．Milk chocolate that has shiny appearance and bitter taste.

C．Dark chocolate that is easy to melt and of moderate taste.

D．Dark chocolate that gives off a sweet and deep fragrance.

【推荐2】What comes into your mind when you think of British food? Probably fish and chips, or a Sunday dinner of meat and two vegetables. But is British food really so uninteresting? Even though Britain has a reputation for less-than-impressive cuisine, it is producing more top class chefs who appear frequently on our television screens and whose recipe books frequently top the best seller lists.

It’s thanks to these TV chefs rather than any advertising campaign that Britons are turning away from meat-and-two-veg and ready-made meals and becoming more adventurous in their cooking habits. It is recently reported that the number of those sticking to a traditional diet is slowly declining and around half of Britain’s consumers would like to change or improve their cooking in some way. There has been a rise in the number of students applying for food courses at UK universities and colleges. It seems that TV programmes have helped change what people think about cooking.

According to a new study from market analysts, 1 in 5 Britons say that watching cookery programmes on TV has encouraged them to try different food. Almost one third say they now use a wider variety of ingredients than they used to, and just under 1 in 4 say they now buy better quality ingredients than before. One in four adults say that TV chefs have made them much more confident about expanding their cookery knowledge and skills, and young people are also getting more interested in cooking. The UK’s obsession (痴迷) with food is reflected through television scheduling. Cookery shows and documentaries about food are broadcast more often than before. With an increasing number of male chefs on TV, it’s no longer “uncool” for boys to like cooking.

1. What do people usually think of British food?

A．It is rich in nutrition.	B．It is simple and plain.
C．It lacks authentic tastes.	D．It deserves a high reputation.

2. Which best describes cookery programme on British TV?

A．Interesting.

B．Creative.

C．Influential.

D．Profitable.

3. Which is the percentage of the people using more diverse ingredients now?

A．20%.

B．24%.

C．25%.

D．33%.

4. What might the author continue talking about?

A．Studies of big eaters.	B．Table manners in the UK.
C．Male chefs on TV programmes.	D．The art of cooking in other countries.

【推荐1】“Love your neighbor as yourself" is a saying familiar to most of us. It means that you must have the ability to love and accept yourself in order to form and keep satisfying relationship with others. Self-esteem means accepting yourself for who you really are, and believing that you are indeed a worthwhile person who is deserving of love and respect from others.
Self-esteem is our sense of how good we feel about ourselves. It is based on our judgment of ourselves, not on other people's assessment, but simply on our own. Our self-esteem is not dependent on our talent. Some very ordinary people feel very good about themselves, while other extraordinarily high achievers hold low opinions of themselves.
Self-esteem is the primary key to long-term stress management. Why? The first three sources of stress are: predictable life event, unexpected changes and build-up of daily stresses. These are much easier to handle when we believe in ourselves. A positive, healthy self-esteem gives us the “hardiness” (强健) to deal with the difficulties of life, and to see them as challenges to be met, rather than threats to be feared.
The fourth category of stress is entirely the result of a low self-esteem. It is the category of stress that is most common and tiring over the long run. This kind of stress cannot be overcome, or even changed, until the self-esteem problems that cause it are corrected.
Learning to love yourself for who you are is the key to overcoming stress. Self-esteem comes from the self, and cannot be promoted by others. A person who feels that his self-esteem comes from the approval of those around him or her is bound to self-destruct (自毁). One cannot keep the level of “performance” required to please everyone else, especially if that performance disagrees with who you are and is simply a ____that makes you popular with the world. When the applause is gone, there is nothing left.
Only those who can feel the strength of knowing who they are and those who can feel good about that will survive the stresses of life. Self-esteem is the basis of contentment and positive living.
1. What is the key to overcoming stress according to the passage?

A．Removing yourself from stressful situation.

B．Learning to love yourself for who you are.

C．Facing the stress and dealing with it.

D．Getting help from friends.

2. What does the underlined word "facade" (in Para 5) mean?

A．A false appearance.	B．A big worry.
C．A wrong action.	D．A strange feeling.

3. The passage is written to ______.

A．tell people how to overcome stress

B．help people form good relationship with others

C．show the importance of feeling good about yourself

D．provide the different methods to get a clear view of yourself

【推荐2】The aviation (航空) industry is currently responsible for about 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This figure is set to grow as air travel becomes increasingly popular. However, efforts to reduce the effects of aviation are moving at a very slow pace. Electric and solar-powered airliners are reportedly in development at Wright Electric and Airbus among others, but battery technology still falls behind jet fuels.

The surprising effects of aviation are why a number of people are choosing to quit, or hugely restrict, flying. While “staying grounded”, as activists call it, might not make the biggest difference to your carbon footprint—a study last summer found that cutting meat, eggs and dairy was the best thing people can do for the planet—it can still make a huge difference.

Zoe Hatch, who lives in Maidenhead, stopped flying in 2015 after reading up on climate change. Her husband and their two children, 11 and 15, joined her in a family decision to switch to slow travel. Hatch hasn’t found it inconvenient or expensive, she says. She uses apps to find affordable train tickets. Being connected to continental Europe by the Eurostar train makes it relatively easy to travel abroad without needing to fly.

Steve Melia, Ph.D, an expert in sustainable transportation, stopped flying in 2005. He agrees that individual change, in itself, won’t prevent climate crisis. “The sort of rapid change we need to avoid the collapse of the ecosystem through climate change—that’s not going to come about by people voluntarily choosing to change their behavior,” he added.

Melia adds that it’s important that people who feel the need to quit don’t talk themselves out of it. “If we are going to achieve the sort of rapid change that is necessary, some people have to initiate (倡议) that change, and if all of the people who might be initiating change are themselves flying and convincing themselves that they can’t live without flying, then where’s the initiative for change going to come from?” he asked.

1. What can we learn about the aviation industry from the passage?

A．Some people quit flying due to financial factors.

B．There is still a long way to go for electric airlines.

C．Individual efforts to quit flying don’t make any sense.

D．The aviation industry contributes most to global warming.

2. What is Hatch’s attitude towards “slow travel”？

A．Supportive.

B．Cautious.

C．Doubtful.

D．Indifferent.

3. How does the author support the theme of the passage?

A．By giving examples.

B．By making comparisons.

C．By explaining statistical data.

D．By providing research results.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．To rescue the Earth is to rescue future?

B．To fly or not to fly, that’s a question.

C．Why some people have given up flying?

D．Less emission of carbon, more chances of survival.

【推荐3】A short while ago, I lost access to my WeChat account. I am not sure why it wouldn’t let me log in; perhaps it was my ancient, out-of-date phone. But I wasn’t too upset because it offered me an opportunity to take a break from social media --- something more and more people are doing.

In the United States, Twitter is losing millions of users each month and Facebook has seen a 44 percent decline among its younger users. Some of these users may have deserted Twitter and Facebook for other social media platforms, while many others have quit because they felt that social media was having a negative effect on their happiness and overall quality of life.

Stars such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeren have taken a break from social media because they were tired of many Internet trolls(网络喷子) leaving negative comments. Ordinary people (like me) are turning away from it because of the feeling that they were spending more time online and enjoying it less.

It is not unusual for people to spend two or three hours a day posing or reading posts, to the point where it becomes an addiction. And it is an addiction. There is a chemical in your brain known as dopamine(多巴胺) which is sometimes called the “reward molecule” and its release gives you a feeling of pleasure. For instance, when you post a photo on WeChat and get a hundred likes, you feel happy. That’s dopamine at work.

In my case, being off WeChat left me with a feeling of anxiety for a few days. No doubt I missed my dopamine. And I got e-mails from friends wondering if I was fine or if I was just being anti-social. But I soon began to feel quite peaceful and started to worry less about what other people were doing and concentrate more on my personal life. And it is an added bonus that I’m getting better sleep at night.

I’m not advocating that all of you quit social media, but spending less time on these platforms does bring you advantages. You could start by leaving your phone at home when you go to school (For some, that’s already a school rule). And it is also a good idea to charge your phone outside of your bedroom at night, as you are unlikely to get a good night’s sleep when the notification(通知) bell keeps ringing.

Someday I may reconnect with my WeChat account, but I' m not in a hurry. Life can be more relaxing and just as interesting without it.

1. The author’s disconnection with WeChat is mentioned at the beginning to _________.

A．introduce the disadvantages of social media

B．explain why he lost access to his WeChat account

C．illustrate the function of dopamine

D．prove how WeChat makes life easier

2. What is the current situation of social media in the United States according to the passage?

A．All Americans have their Twitter and Facebook.

B．Famous people have deserted Twitter and Facebook for other social media.

C．An increasing number of people are losing interest in social media.

D．Social media add to people’s happiness and life convenience.

3. The fourth paragraph mainly talks about _________.

A．how dopamine works when you are posting or reading posts.

B．the reason behind people’s addiction to social media.

C．why WeChat is so popular among ordinary people.

D．what you can do if you want to get many likes on WeChat.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards social media?

A．To turn away from them as soon as possible.

B．To choose a social media platform that suits you.

C．To keep away from them temporarily is a wise choice.

D．To quit them will make your life more relaxing and interesting.

【推荐1】Part-time English Teacher Wanted

We are looking for a par-time English teacher. The teacher should come from the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand or Australia. We would like to have 2 lessons a week, 2 hours each lesson.

Please send me your resume (简历) with photo if you are interested. Email: daiinternational@ englishlearn. com. cn.

Private English Teacher Wante

Senior Chinese manager is looking for a one-on-one English teacher for several hours per week. He would like to learn British pronunciation, so UK nationals will be preferred. The teachers should be flexible to suit his busy schedule and be of professional appearances. Pay is to be discussed directly and will be very high. Teaching experience is not a must.

If interested, please send an email with your background information. Pay expectations and a recent picture to dhanyatk@hotmail. com or admin@163. com.

CALLING—Teacher/Librarian!

We are a small kindergarten to Grade 6 international school in Beijing. We need a teacher/ librarian. The teacher we are looking for will: — Be a Chinese and English speaking librarian.

Qualifications:

Be self-starters, active team players;

Have a positive attitude and love to work with kids；

Provide an exciting and creative library program to students.

If you meet the above qualifications, please send your resume and a recent picture to principalinchina@yahoo. cn.

1. How long does the first job take to work every week?

A．2 hours.

B．4 hours.

C．6 hours.

D．8 hours.

2. Who will be welcome as a one-on-one English teacher?

A．A British who speaks native English.	B．A Canadian who travels in the UK.
C．An American who lives in England.	D．A Chinese who studies in Britain.

3. Which address should you send an email to if you want to be a librarian?

A．daiinternational@engiishlearn. com. cn	B．dhanyatk@hotmail. com
C．admin@163. com	D．principalinchina@yahoo. cn

【推荐2】On his first day as an airport official tasked with COVID-19 prevention and control, Wu Ge was assigned to prepare a waiting area at Pu dong International Airport specifically for transit passengers.

The task would have been challenging for most people, but Wu took it and quickly distributed tasks to his colleagues. Together, they cleaned and disinfected the area, set zones for checking people's temperatures and filling out forms. It wasn't until the first passenger stepped into the waiting area that Wu finally took a break from his work.

Born in southwestern China's Chongqing, the 46-year-old began working at Pu dong International Airport in 2007 and is currently an official leading more than 300 staff members of the Shanghai airport authority's security check and protection department.

As the nation's busiest airport for overseas travelers. Shanghai Pu dong International Airport is currently battling the COVID-19 with closed-loop management. During this critical period, Wu and his colleagues have been assigned to a special task force in charge of separating overseas travelers into various categories, sending passengers to quarantine spots and safeguarding passengers during transfers.

"This job requires care, responsibility and hard work. Our teammates have sweat all over their bodies as they have to wear N95 face-masks and protective suits all the time. Each of us walks at least 30,000 steps every day. Sometimes we even hit 60,000 steps," he says.

Wu's work as the group leader is nonstop. Breakfast is sometimes the only meal he has in a day. Wu says he tries his best to reduce waiting time for passengers. He has also arranged for hot water and biscuits to be made available for passengers around the clock.

1. What was Wu Ge asked to do?

A．Reduce waiting time.	B．Prepare hot water and biscuits.
C．Prepare a waiting area.	D．Hel passengers fill out forms.

2. Which can best describe Wu Ge's assignment?

A．Demanding.

B．Rewarding

C．Encouraging.

D．Frightening.

3. Why did Wu Ge and his colleague have sweat all over their bodies?

A．It was hot at that time	B．They carried passengers' luggage.
C．They had to walk a lot.	D．They wore protective equipment.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Working at the Airport	B．Fighting COVID-19 at the Airport
C．Living a Busy Life at the Airport	D．Helping Passengers at the Airport

【推荐3】Bradley McConachie, a 33-year-old Australian is actually a student in international relations completing his PhD through Griffith University. He came to Beijing for a cooperative research at Beijing University two years ago. Such an academic life was colorful with a chance offered by the cultural exchanges project, “I’m in China”.

Bradley was lucky to win the most “likes” for his photo story about his life in China and became one of 20 winners to visit locations by the project this summer. All the winners’ experiences were filmed to produce a reality show, My Chinese Working Day, which will be broadcast by mid-September.

Bradley was chosen to work as a recreational manager for a Chinese wedding. The film crew took them to many “amazing sites” and the staff at the resort taught them a lot about how to incorporate modern Chinese features while still keeping traditional customs.

“I would have to say two things stick out as the most memorable: the helicopter ride and talking with the staff at the hotel about how they organize weddings here in China,” he said. That was Bradley’s first time to be in a helicopter, and he was too absorbed with the “stunning” view of the coastline.

“I think it is so important to show other Australians the different landscapes China has to offer. I think so many Australians, when they think about China, imagine the historical sites of Beijing and the exciting things to see in Shanghai but have no idea about other beautiful places, like Sanya or the many other places people have been taken to in this TV series. It was nice to experience these little touches. I was happy to be a part of that experience!” Bradley said.

1. What made Bradley’s life more colorful?

A．Obtaining his PhD.

B．The cultural exchanges project.

C．The research about Beijing University.

D．The interest in international relations.

2. Why was Bradley given the chance?

A．He produced the reality show.	B．His life in China was interesting.
C．He was one of the top 20 winners.	D．He liked photo stories most.

3. Which of the following best explains “stunning” in Paragraph 4?

A．Fantastic.

B．Confusing.

C．Plain.

D．Extreme.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．It’s difficult to produce moving TV series.

B．Beijing and Shanghai are historical sites.

C．Bradley was impressed by the view of the coastline.

D．Many Australians know little about China.