At the start of every working week, millions of people around the world get ready for something they do endlessly, joylessly and badly ： a meeting
It was awful before the pandemic (疫情), when research showed there were an average of 55 million meetings daily in the US alone. I fear to think what the figures look like now that Covid-19 and remote working have started the age of the continuous meeting.
It wouldn't be a problem if all meetings did what they were supposed to do and helped busy people make good decisions about important matters. But the evidence suggests otherwise. Studies over the past 15 years have shown about 70 percent of workers have rated their meetings poor or unproductive, writes US professor, Steven Rogelberg, in his 2019 book The Surprising Science of Meetings.
“The root of the rotten meeting is simple," says Madeleine de Hauke, a meeting coach and teacher. “We spend our lives in meetings, but there's very little investment (投入)into helping people run them effectively," she told me last week.
A meeting coach might say that, but I think Ms de Hauke is correct. Running a meeting well takes skills. At a minimum, people need to know in advance why they are meeting； what they are supposed to achieve ； who really needs to be there and how they should contribute. Yet meeting leaders are expected to learn all these on the job.
I thought the pandemic had made things worse. But Ms de Hauke makes a convincing argument that Zoom calls merely strengthen what was going on before. If a meeting was productive and cheerful before, it is probably better now. If it was wasteful and annoying, it is likely to be worse.
Still, a bad meeting is like a virus. By failing to produce good decisions it often requires another meeting to be held, then another and another. Luckily, there is no need for a vaccine (疫苗), just a bit more care and preparation, and an understanding that there is no shame in being taught how to lead a meeting well.
1. What does the passage focus on?| A．Why people hate meetings. |
| B．How Covid-19 affects meetings. |
| C．Recommending experienced meeting coaches. |
| D．Suggesting developing the skills of meeting running. |
| A．Meetings are poor and short. |
| B．Meetings are dull and fruitless. |
| C．Meetings make people less interested in work. |
| D．Meetings cause people to make wrong decisions. |
| A．Invite people to attend the meeting in advance. |
| B．Invest much money to run meetings successfully. |
| C．Set clear goals and make preparations for the meeting. |
| D．Make everybody present at the meeting learn some skills. |
| A．By comparison. | B．By classification. |
| C．By analying causes. | D．By listing examples. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Open-mindedness is a characteristic that involves being receptive to various ideas, arguments and information.
When you hear something you disagree with, take time to consider the following points before you respond: Are your own arguments based upon multiple sources? Are you willing to revise your opinion in the face of conflicting evidence?
When people think they’re an authority (权威) on a topic, they’re less willing to take in new information and entertain new ideas. So, try to keep in mind that the brain is much more imperfect though you’re an expert on a topic.
| A．There are a lot of benefits of being open-minded. |
| B．Everyone you’ll ever meet knows something you don’t. |
| C．Will you hold on to your opinion even if the evidence discounts it? |
| D．Just being willing to consider other perspectives can be a challenge. |
| E．Learning how to be more open-minded is possible, but it can be challenging. |
| F．Others should be free to express their arguments, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. |
| G．In many cases, this sort of self-questioning might provide ideas which you had not considered before. |
【推荐2】Four Habits to Help You Succeed Everyone hopes to be successful, whether it’s in losing weight or learning the piano. For those who have tried and failed, success seems hard to understand.
Identify your key values.
Finding your key values is in line with (符合) creating inner intention. Sit and think about what you value most. Pick some things and actually write them down.
Pick a goal and concentrate on it.
Choose one goal to start something large enough that will give you a sense of achievement, while adjusting well to your core values.
Set a date for success. Identify when you hope to achieve your goal. Keep it realistic, while not giving you too much time. By setting a time limit, you are making the process more real.
Stick to your goal.
Failure can’t be avoided when you take risks. By its very definition (定义), the desire to succeed means you are risking failure. Many people tend to give up far too early. Don’t fail into this trap! Remember your goal earlier. Know it will happen. A failure is only you working out the details, and learning what works and what doesn’t. Use failure.
| A．Focus is key here. |
| B．Make the right decision. |
| C．Set a deadline for success. |
| D．Treat it as a good thing, and move on! |
| E．Remind yourself of your values every day. |
| F．Push yourself to be courageous, and take that next step. |
| G．Why does one person succeed while another person fails? |
【推荐3】The Benefits of Keeping a Journal
If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. And to be honest, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without it.
It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn’t write it down?
It helps you review all the lessons you’ve learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you’ve learned and the ideas you’ve gotten.
It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.
| A．I often experienced that myself. |
| B．It trains you to express your thoughts. |
| C．It allows you to see your progress over time. |
| D．Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with. |
| E．Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal. |
| F．Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea. |
| G．Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes. |
Changing fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste.Many women spend vast sums of money each year to replace clothes that have hardly been worn. Women who cannot afford to throw away clothing in this way, waste hours of their time altering the dresses they have. Skirts are lengthened or shortened; necklines are lowered or raised, and so on.
No one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society. Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth, comfort and durability(耐用). They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort, as long as they look right. There can hardly be a man who hasn't at some time in his life smiled at the sight of a woman shaking in a thin dress on a winter day, or delicately picking her way through deep snow in high-heeled shoes.
When comparing men and women in the matter of fashion,
1. To the writer, the fact that women alter their old-fashioned dresses is seen as______.
| A．a waste of money | B．a waste of time |
| C．an expression of taste | D．an expression of creativity |
| A．cost | B．appearance |
| C．comfort | D．suitability |
| A．New fashions in clothing are created for the commercial exploitation of women. |
| B．The constant changes in women's clothing reflect their strength of character. |
| C．The fashion industry makes an important contribution to society. |
| D．Fashion designs should not be encouraged since they are only welcomed by women. |
| A．women's inconstancy in their choice of clothing is often laughed at |
| B．women are better able to put up with discomfort |
| C．men are also exploited greatly by fashion designers |
| D．men are more stable and reliable in character |
First of all, it has a real romance--one where you can watch the
Secondly, it has humor, clever and sarcastic(讽刺性的) humor. When Schraeder said, “ Bye, Maria, I’m sure you’ll make a fine nun(修女).” You just want to slap(掴) her across the face after hearing that.
Thirdly, it’s got adventure. The Nazis are the worst “bad guys” in any movie, so it’s great to see Maria, the Captain and the kids outwit(智取) them.
Fourthly, it’s got great music. The songs of the film are popular all over the world.
Fifthly, it’s got great scenery. The plot(情节) and dialogue are also amazing. I find new things to admire each time I watch.
Finally, is there a greater scene in any movie than the nuns showing the stolen Nazi car parts? In short, the film doesn’t just succeed because it cheers people up with a beautiful love story or songs. It also succeeds because it’s a wonderfully-constructed, wonderfully-written, and wonderfully-acted movie.
1. What’s the purpose of the passage?
| A．To tell people what makes a good movie. |
| B．To tell people how to enjoy the humor in The Sound of Music. |
| C．To explain why The Sound of Music is one of the best movies. |
| D．To advise people to watch The Sound of Music |
| A．in the author’s opinion, The Sound of Music succeeds mainly because of its songs |
| B．the author can find something new to enjoy every time he watches the movie |
| C．Maria just wants to slap Schraeder after hearing what she says to her. |
| D．The Sound of Music is a movie about how Maria outwits the Nazis with the nuns |
| A．plot | B．music | C．acting | D．clothing |
| A．特征 | B．性格 | C．人物 | D．汉字 |
【推荐3】Located in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs National Park covers over 5,500 acres and was the first area of land in North America set aside by the government for amusement. To protect the hot springs and their surrounding environment, it was named as an official protected area in 1832. On March 4,1921, an act of Congress transformed Hot Springs Reservation into Hot Springs National Park, providing key protection to the area and improving its importance.
The main draw to this park is what it is named for, the hot springs. The springs hold an average temperature of 62℃. The most special aspect of the hot springs is that they have long been recognized for their usage in medicine, which can help improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation (炎症), and provide relief for muscle and joint pain. Visitors have the chance to experience the recovery power of these hot waters. Additionally, they can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the scenic parks, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Unlike most national parks that are surrounded by wilderness, Hot Springs National Park is located in the city of Hot Springs, creating a unique mix of natural wonders and city life. Visitors can explore the park’s beautiful scenery, and then experience the charm of the city’s downtown area, with cultural attractions and historic landmarks. The city of Hot Springs offers various resting places, restaurants, shops, and other services that suit the needs of tourists.
Whether you want to experience hot springs, explore the hiking trails, or learn about the park’s fascinating past, it provides a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
1. What do we know about Hot Springs National Park from paragraph 1?| A．It has been protected for a long time. | B．It is famous for its rich amusement activities. |
| C．It is the largest national park in North America. | D．It protects a large number of historical buildings. |
| A．They have great medical value. | B．They lie in the center of hiking trails. |
| C．They can keep a comfortable temperature. | D．They are surrounded by mountain landscapes. |
| A．It has unique natural wonders. | B．It is located in a wild area. |
| C．It combines nature with city life. | D．It offers cheaper service to tourists. |
| A．A tourist map. | B．A history book. |
| C．A scientific report. | D．A geographic magazine. |
Let's say you want to hit the gym more regularly this year. How do you make that happen? Consider putting the habit loop to use.
Here's how it works:
A habit is a 3-step process. First, there's a cue, something that tells your brain to operate automatically. Then there's a routine. And finally, a reward, which helps your brain learn to desire the behavior. It's what you can use to create-or break-habits of your own.
Here's how to apply it:
Choose a cue, like leaving your running shoes by the door, then pick a reward-say, a piece of chocolate when you get home from the gym. That way, the cue and the reward become interconnected. Finally, when you see the shoes, your brain will start longing for the reward, which will make it easier to work out day after day. The best part? In a couple of weeks, you won't need the chocolate at all. Your brain will come to see the workout itself as the reward. Which is the whole point, right?
1. Which of the following best fits in the box with a “?” in THE HABIT LOOP?
| A．Pick a new cue. | B．Form a new habit. |
| C．Choose a new reward. | D．Design a new resolution. |
| A．changing the routine | B．trying it for a week |
| C．adjusting your goal | D．writing it down |
| A．To test out different kinds of cues. |
| B．To do something as a habit even without rewards. |
| C．To work out the best New Year's resolution. |
| D．To motivate yourself with satisfactory rewards. |
| A．The Harry Potter poster. |
| B．Reading 30 pages of an English novel. |
| C．An English newspaper. |
| D．Watching TV for half an hour. |
【推荐2】A computer program has been used to predict how people are feeling when they type.
In a study participants were asked to type a particular phrase and the program then estimated if they were happy, sad and so on. Surprisingly it was correct 70 per cent of the time, and the findings could lead to smarter artificial intelligence in the future.
The study published in the journal Behavior and Information Technology was carried out by researchers at the Islamic University of Technology in Bangladesh, reports Live Science.
In the research 25 people ranging from 15 to 40 years old were asked to retype two paragraphs from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll. They also had to enter their emotional state every 30 minutes while doing their regular activities on the computer. This allowed the program an opportunity to understand how their emotions changed their typing style.
Moods tested were joy, fear, anger, sadness, hate, and shame. The result was that the program could identify(识别) a person' s mood correctly 70 per cent of the time. It was most successful in identifying joyfulness with an 87 per cent success ratio, while sadness was the least successful at 60 per cent. The researchers found that the participants were less likely to input (输入) data when they were in a bad mood, which may explain the inexactness of the second result.
However, the findings could have great importance for artificial intelligence, and it may allow computers to get along with us in a friendlier manner, “If we could build any system that is intelligent enough to communicate with humans that is, it can identify user emotions and change its behavior accordingly then using machines could be more effective and friendly.” the researchers wrote.
1. Who conducted the study?| A．Lewis Carroll. | B．Islamic University of Technology. |
| C．Live Science. | D．Behavior and Information Technology. |
| A．Input words and emotional state. | B．Change their typing styles. |
| C．Change their feelings frequently. | D．Show their natural feelings. |
| A．People usually hide their unhappy feelings. |
| B．The program cannot recognize sadness clearly. |
| C．The program cannot calculate the data correctly. |
| D．It's more difficult to collect data when people are sad. |
| A．It helps people develop smarter machines. |
| B．It helps people speed up their typing speed. |
| C．It will inspire similar studies on people's mood. |
| D．It clearly explains the relationship between mood and typing. |
【推荐3】Being highly successful in any field is pretty rare. It takes a combination of natural talent, luck, determination, and plenty of outside support for someone to make it big in sports, entertainment, or business. But what if competing is all that matters to you, whether you are likely to succeed or not? This was the goal of Michael Eddie the Eagle Edwards, and that he reached that goal was an amazing achievement.
Born in the U.K. in 1963, Michael was an enthusiastic downhill skier whose dream was to compete for Britain in world-class competitions. He would have liked to represent his country in the 1984 Winter Olympics, but there were a large number of downhill competitors, and Edwards didn't qualify. Seeing his chance elsewhere, he switched to ski jumping. Ski jumping didn't cost nearly as much, and there was almost no competition for a place on the Britain team.
But a number of hurdles（障碍）could have meant the end of Edwards' dream. He weighed more than most competitors, which put him at a disadvantage. He had no financial support for his training. Poor eyesight meant that he had to wear glasses under his goggles（护目镜）—not a good thing when they steamed up at high altitudes. But he couldn't let any of this discourage him. He saw himself as a true lover of the sport who simply wanted the chance to compete. Winning wasn't the point. Having the opportunity to try was all he cared about. And nothing could stop him from trying.
In the end, Edwards took 55th place in the 1987 World Championships. He then went on to the Calgary Olympics in 1988, where he finished last in both of his events. Many athletes would have been embarrassed by this result, but he is proud of his achievement to this day. His determination to fight against all the odds made him a global hero, and in 2016, the inspiring film Eddie the Eagle was made about his life.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To add some background information. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To expect an answer from readers. | D．To uncover the secret of success. |
| A．There was little competition. | B．The equipment was cheaper. |
| C．It took less skill. | D．It was easy to win the championship. |
| A．switched to film making | B．was embarrassed by his results |
| C．felt he had reached his goal | D．was glad it was over |
A．His enthusiasm for the sport. | B．His ability to overcome physical disabilities. |
| C．His attitude towards the Olympics. | D．His determination to win. |
【推荐1】Workers at an Indian startup company are busy cutting metal into pieces and using them to make unusual devices.Company officials say these devices will capture smoke from diesel (柴油) generators and turn it into ink.Young engineers believe the technology will help to clean up the air in New Delhi，India's capital.Its air quality is among the dirtiest in the world.
People often blame the millions of cars on the streets of New Delhi for the air pollution.But another big reason is the city's diesel generators.Industries and buildings use the huge machines to light up homes and offices during power outages.These outages often strike in the summer months.
Arpit Dhupar is one of the three engineers who set up the startup company Chakr Innovation.He says that pollution from cars and other vehicles gets all the media attention，but adds that “the silent polluters are the diesel generators”. Dhupar decided to find a way to fight air pollution three years ago.At the time，he saw a wall blackened from the smoke coming from a diesel generator.This sight led to the creation of Chakr Innovation.Dhupar had personally experienced the effect of the air pollution.He developed breathing problems while growing up in Delhi.
After over two years of research and development，Chakr Innovation has begun selling devices to capture pollution from diesel generators.To date，the devices have been set up in 50 places，including private businesses.
The technology involves cooling the air pollution in a “heat exchanger” where the dirty particles come together.These are then moved into another area that captures 70 to 90 percent of the particulate (微粒的) matter.The carbon is isolated from the emissions and turned into ink.
In recent years，there has been a lot of talk about improving Delhi's air by reducing vehicular pollution and making stronger rules for vehicle manufacturers.But the same has not happened for diesel generators.There are efforts to punish businesses that dirty the air，but this often leads to them finding ways to get around the rules.
Tushar Mathur works at Chakr Innovation.He feels that turning smoke into ink is a useful solution.He calls the technology “a winwin between businesses and the environment”.
1. What do we know about the devices from Paragraph 1?| A．They are made in a big company. |
| B．They are cut into pieces of metal. |
| C．They can turn dirty smoke into ink. |
| D．They will certainly clean up the dirty air. |
| A．March | B．July |
| C．September | D．December |
| A．The determination to fight air pollution. |
| B．The development of breathing problems. |
| C．The media attention to vehicular pollution. |
| D．The sight of a wall blackened by smoke. |
| A．By cooling the polluted air. |
| B．By isolating the emissions. |
| C．By moving the dirty particles. |
| D．By capturing the particulate matter. |
【推荐2】How do you like your milk: cooked or raw? It may sound a strange question, but it’s being asked more often at kitchen tables, grocery stores and farmers’ markets across the US.
The vast majority of milk we drink is heat-treated to kill off harmful bacteria (细菌). Raw milk, on the other hand, goes straight to bottle. Fans call it milk as nature intended: nutrient-rich and full of a good kind of bacteria. Some fans go further, calling it a super food that aids digestion (消化), benefits the immune system and treats some diseases.
An increasing number of people agree. For health-conscious, organic-loving shoppers, raw milk is a growing food trend. They feel uneasy at the thought of heated milk sitting under supermarket lighting. But despite the enthusiasm, it’s a trend with a terrible side.
Pasteurization (加热杀菌) is a reason—it’s highly effective at killing some harmful things that can hang around in the body of even healthy cows. Raw milk, on the other hand, relies heavily on the skill of the farmer to avoid them.
Raw milk illnesses have increased as more people drink it. Between 2010 and 2019, raw milk and raw milk cheese caused the vast majority (96%) of all illnesses linked to dairy products. Considering far fewer people consume it, that makes unpasteurized dairy 840 times more risky than pasteurized. The recent deaths of two people who ate raw milk cheese made in New York underscored the sometimes deadly consequences. And for young children, whose underdeveloped immune systems make them more vulnerable (易受伤害的), the dangers of raw milk make it hard to recommend.
1. Why does most milk that people drink is heat-treated?| A．To add some useful bacteria. |
| B．To make it taste more delicious. |
| C．To make it safer for people to drink. |
| D．To make it have a better appearance. |
| A．It’s not good for people’s health. |
| B．It may contain something harmful. |
| C．It’s often put under market lighting. |
| D．It comes from unhealthy cows. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Health. |
| C．Education. | D．Politics. |
| A．Benefits of Raw Milk |
| B．How to Tell the Quality of Milk |
| C．Reasons for Choosing Heated Milk |
| D．Raw Milk: a Super Food or Super Risk? |
Every summer, thousands of endangered green sea turtles climb onto beaches around the world. Each mother sea turtle produces 100 or more eggs in a hole, and covers the hole with sand before she swims away.
Two months later, the eggs hatch(孵化), and the baby turtles climb out of the sand and swim into the ocean. They don’t reappear until they have grown as large as dinner plates. Until now, no one knows where the baby turtles go or what they do.
“if we don’t know where these little turtles are, we can’t protect them,” says Kim Reich, who helps solve part of the mystery.
Her teacher, Karen Bjorndal, has studied green sea turtles for more than 30 years. Every year, Bjorndal goes to the Bahamas Islands. Many young sea turtles come here to live and eat at the end of their childhood.
These turtles are the only sea turtles that live as plant eaters. In fact, their name may be a result of what they eat. The turtles don’t look green but they do have green fat. Scientists learned that the turtles eat green sea plants, which may turn their fat green.
Between 2002 and 2004, Bjorndal caught 44 green sea turtles in the Bahamas. After testing them, she found something to support the 20-year-old idea: baby green sea turtles eat meat before they turn to a diet of plants. In fact, they eat animals that live in the open ocean.
Scientists still need to find where exactly green sea turtles grow. We now know that baby green sea turtles are out in the open ocean, but the open ocean is a big place.
“It is really a problem,” says Bjorndal. The discovery may help us do a better job of protecting this sea animal.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?
| A．baby turtles go to the ocean when they are two months old. |
| B．Mother turtles leave the eggs alone after they produce them. |
| C．No one knows when turtles appear on the beach. |
| D．Mother turtles are as large as dinner plates. |
| A．help her teacher | B．prove an idea |
| C．protect turtles | D．become a scientist |
| A．the young live in the Bahamas Islands. |
| B．The young eat meat before turning to a diet of plants |
| C．They live in the open ocean for a lifelong time |
| D．They are the only sea turtles that live as plant eaters. |
| A．Finding out where young turtles grow. |
| B．Protecting this endangered sea animal. |
| C．Changing young turtles’ eating habits. |
| D．Living in the open ocean. |
