Looking at his pile of unpaid bills always makes Giuseppe Del Giudice feel uneasy. More often than not, Del Giudice leaves almost everything until the last moment. He is not alone. “It’s part of the human condition,” said procrastination (拖延症) researcher Tim Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University. “We want to feel good now. The way to do that is to avoid the task.”
One big factor for avoidance is fear of failure, of not living up to expectations. Kelli Saginak, a 57-year-old functional health coach from Wisconsin, procrastinated about looking for a new job for years. “If I don’t take the risk, decide, or commit, I don’t have to face the judgment.” said Saginak. That inability to take action only confirmed her that she would never do any better. Procrastinators believe that they are more effective under pressure. But researchers have different opinions. “I once did an experiment, putting procrastinators under restrictions of time,” said Tim Pychyl. “They made more errors. They took longer than nonprocrastinators, but they thought they did better.”
Whatever the motivation, procrastination is usually not going to be good for you. Delaying a diet or exercise program may increase your risk of heart disease. Procrastinators experience higher levels of stress, both from leaving things to the last minute and from their own regrets about their procrastination. There’s one bit of good news: People tend to procrastinate less as they age. “As you grow older, the idea of living forever does fade away,” Tim Pychyl said. “It becomes clearer: How many summers do we have left? Ten? Fifteen? They’re really limited. What are you going to do with each of those summers?”
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By raising questions. | B．By giving an example. |
| C．By making a definition. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．Kelli Saginal tends to take risks. |
| B．Procrastinators did better in the experiment. |
| C．Kelli Saginal has been looking for a new job. |
| D．Procrastinators are less effective under pressure. |
| A．They are aware of the limited time. |
| B．They experience lower level of stress. |
| C．They regret what they have done before. |
| D．They seldom leave things to the last minutes. |
| A．A fiction. | B．A book review. |
| C．A guidebook. | D．A science magazine. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】The recent criticisms of Taylor Swift for her silence on the war in Gaza highlight a peculiar issue: the unrealistic expectations we place on celebrities to be know-alls. It’s a topic worth looking into.
While many are quick to urge figures like Taylor Swift to lend their voice s to critical global conversations, a concerning pattern emerges on the flip side: celebrities navigating the dark waters of complex debates with limited knowledge. Take, for instance, Billie Eilish’s fashion choice at the Oscars — a red hand pin. This wasn’t just any accessory (配饰); it’s rooted in the upset history of the 2000 cruel treatments of two Israelis. It begs the question: Was Eilish aware of the weighty story this symbol carries? This moment serves as a reminder of the nuanced (微妙的， 细节的) balance celebrities must strike between being supportive and the profound responsibility of using apublic platform.
The celebrity culture in the United States, where public figures are elevated to almost god-like status, plays a significant role in this phenomenon. They are seen as perfect, their opinions holy. This is not only unfair to the celebrities themselves, who are, after all, only human, but it also takes away from the voices of actual experts on these subjects. When we prioritize a celebrity’s opinion over those with lived experience or specialized knowledge, we do a disservice to the complexity of these issues.
As a society, we must reevaluate our obsession with celebrity culture and recognize the limitations of looking to entertainers for guidance on complex issues. This doesn’t mean celebrities can’t or shouldn’t speak out on matters that affect them personally or on which they’re well-informed. It’s entirely appropriate for Taylor Swift to publicly support political candidates in her home country. The action stems from personal values and people’s engagement, which are different from commenting on international conflicts without a deep understanding of the nuances involved.
In advocating for this nuanced approach, we’re not suggesting celebrities should remain silent on all matters of public concern. Instead, we’re calling for a shift in how we, as the public, perceive and react to their involvement in social and political issues. By adjusting our expectations, we can foster a healthier, more informed public discussion that prioritizes substance over the temptation of star power.
Ultimately, the goal should be to create a more empathetic, informed society that values expertise and genuine activism over celebrity support. By encouraging public figures to use their platforms responsibly and directing our attention to where they can make a real difference, we take a step toward a more nuanced understanding of global issues. This isn’t just about relieving celebrities of undue burdens; it’s about empowering all of us to seek out and elevate the voices that matter most.
1. Why is “a red hand pin” mentioned in Para.2?| A．To make fun of Billie’s limited knowledge on debating. |
| B．To show Billie’s unawareness of irresponsible advocacy. |
| C．To speak ill of Billie’s poor taste for fashion at the Oscars. |
| D．To criticize Billie for his abuse of the public platform. |
| A．Billie’s unreasonable selection of a red hand pin at the Oscars. |
| B．Celebrities’ irresponsible opinions on critical global conversations. |
| C．Public’s great desire for celebrities to comment on key global issues. |
| D．Taylor Swift’s golden silence about the crucial international concern. |
| A．experts tend to increase the complexity of the issues |
| B．celebrities’ voices are as important as those of experts |
| C．celebrities should air views on matters at home and abroad |
| D．we should reassess the social and political roles of celebrities |
| A．Expect the Unexpected | B．Public Platforms, Powered Places |
| C．The Downside of Celebrity Advocacy | D．The Essence of Celebrity Responsibility |
【推荐2】The race skywards began in America. In the late 1800s, industrialization had driven urban populations and land prices up, making tall buildings increasingly cost-effective. Like all major shifts in architecture, the trend was supported by engineering. The development of steel frames made it easier to build tall. The invention of the lift, meanwhile, made living in higher floors far more convenient.
Though similar in shape, today's skyscrapers look little like those built in the first half of the 20th century. This is mostly thanks to the curtain wall. Postwar developments in manufacturing (制造) meant that huge sheets of glass could be produced quickly and uniformly, and the curtain wall soon became the front of high-rises. As well as allowing for greater floor space and more natural light, glass surfaces help buildings bear greater wind loads.
There are now 191 completed skyscrapers that are at least 300 meters tall. But that doesn't mean our cities will grow taller indefinitely. While each additional story adds sellable floor space, construction costs also rise. All buildings reach a point where adding an extra floor will cost more money than it generates.
This reality can certainly be felt in America. Though skyscrapers began as a US phenomenon and continued increasing there in the 1960s and 1970s, the Middle East and Asia now dominate high-rise construction. This is partly due to the lower construction costs in Asian and other non-Western countries. However, it may also demonstrate that skyscrapers are about more than the return on investment---they are a matter of branding. And in some cities, building tall can be a necessity.
The next big challenge facing architects goes beyond height: At a time when buildings and their construction account for more than a third of the world's energy consumption and contribute about 40% of greenhouse gas emission (排放)，there are new environment-friendly costs to consider.
1. What caused the race skywards in America in the late 1800s?| A．The expansion of the city land. |
| B．The preference for higher floors. |
| C．The development of engineering. |
| D．The decreased price of steel frames. |
| A．To beautify the skyscrapers. |
| B．To reflect more natural light. |
| C．To make skyscrapers more secure. |
| D．To promote manufacturing industry. |
| A．191 skyscrapers have been completed |
| B．cities limit the height of tall buildings |
| C．cities are desperate to create a brand of skyscrapers |
| D．profits decrease with buildings reaching certain heights |
| A．lower construction costs |
| B．reduce carbon emission |
| C．define energy consumption |
| D．research greenhouse effects |
【推荐3】I work at a grocery store in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, which gets a lot of regulars. On March 12, the Quebec government announced to close all public places to stop the spread of the pandemic(流行病)of coronavirus.
The next day the store was the busiest I've ever seen.The six cash registers had to be kept open from 10 a.m. until close. It was nuts. I didn't have time to eat lunch, and whenever one of us on cash had to use the bathroom, we'd have to bring in a coworker of the floor to cover for us.
Since then, the atmosphere in the store has been different. Customers are mostly considerate, but whenever someone coughs or sneezes, everyone turns around to make sure that person sneezed into their elbow. I've even seen customers come in wearing some strange get-ups. One guy even came in with a plastic Walmart bag wrapped around his entire head, with a slit cut out for his eyes.
A lot of my coworkers have left to avoid a public-facing job during the pandemic.grocery store workers across Canada are putting their health at risk every time they come in to work, but a lot of us are still making close to minimum wage. I realize that I feel more exhausted than normal even though I'm working the same hours.
There still have been some moments of kindness in the midst of the chaos.I've overheard people talking on the phone who sounded as though they were organizing grocery deliveries for those stuck at home. And this past weekend a very nice lady thanked us for continuing to work. I know everyone is worried, but it's useless having the same scary conversations day after day. Instead tell us a funny anecdote, or about something nice. We’ll appreciate the distraction, and you’ll make our day just a bit brighter.
1. What does the author intend to show by "It was nuts." in Paragraph 2?| A．The goods were in short supply. | B．The store was having a big sale. |
| C．The cashiers complained about their work. | D．The locals rushed to do shopping like crazy. |
| A．They prefer to shop here in costume. | B．They are panicky about the disease. |
| C．They are more friendly to each other. | D．They all protect themselves properly. |
| A．Aggressive. | B．Considerate. | C．Optimistic. | D．Conservative. |
| A．To present the kind moments in a time of chaos. |
| B．To describe what it 's like working in the pandemic. |
| C．To explain why it is hard to work at the grocery store. |
| D．To provide advice on how to protect oneself in the pandemic. |
【推荐1】Faced with a declining population and workforce, Japan has been increasingly turning to robots for help. Over the years, the robots have carried out a large number of human tasks, including building products and providing care for the elderly.
However, the robots currently being used by companies, like Walmart and Amazon, are only able to perform single, repetitive tasks, such as stacking boxes. Model-T, on the other hand, has a wider range of movement and is able to hold, pick and place objects of several different shapes and sizes into different locations, making it ideal for convenience and grocery stores, which sell a large variety of items.
Model-T robots are operated from a distant location by human “pilots” wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset and special gloves, which allow them to feel the product the robot is holding in their hands and guide it to the right shelf.
The VR-controlled robots are ten times cheaper than automated robots, because they don’t require advanced programming and are easier to develop and maintain. And their easy-to-use controls require little training. Tomohiro Kano, a general manager in charge of development at FamilyMart, believes this will enable the chain to recruit workers who would typically not work in stores.
Though Model-T appears to be getting rapidly through the experiments, it is not quite ready to enter the workforce. Besides being a lot slower than humans, it is also only able to lift packaged items, and cannot get hold of things such as fruits and vegetables. The company is working to improve the weaknesses and hopes to introduce a faster, more skillful Model-T within the next two years. They believe that in addition to the stores, the robots could also be useful in hospitals, allowing doctors to do operations from remote locations.
1. What is one of the features of Model-T according to the text?| A．It works much faster than humans. | B．It can easily hold all kinds of objects. |
| C．It can be operated from a distance away. | D．It is harder to produce than an automated robot. |
| A．The low price of Model-T. | B．The easiness to operate Model-T. |
| C．The low-level programming of Model-T. | D．The strict training for maintaining Model-T. |
| A．Model-T is now being massively produced. |
| B．Japan’s workforce will be reduced by Model-T. |
| C．The weaknesses of Model-T have been overcome. |
| D．Model-T may be used in wider fields in the future. |
| A．Technology. | B．Economy. | C．Lifestyle. | D．Environment. |
This debate is related to increasing challenges from rising climatic change, population growth, urbanization（城镇化), and natural resource consumption. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, food production needs to increase by 60 percent by 2050 in order to feed 9 billion people. Scientists and policymakers are searching for effective ways to gain nutritious food, for today and future. Unlike previous agricultural methods (such as the Green Revolution), GM crops are to fight food safety and poverty challenges.
The great expansion of GM crop varieties over the last two decades can be seen easily. The total area devoted to GM crops has increased 100 times from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 170 million hectares in 2012. Developing countries now grow more GM crops than developed countries (in terms of area), largely driven by Brazil’s rapid adoption of GM crops. China is home to about 4 percent of the total global area devoted to GM crops. Beans, corn, and cotton are main global GM crops, while China’s focus is on cotton, papaya, and poplar.
Recently, a scientific study shows that GM crops are safe for people and the environment. According to a 2010 report on the safety of GM crops by the EU, “the main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than 500 research groups, is that biology methods, are not more risky than traditional planting technologies, for example.” Other international and national scientific bodies, such as the World Health Organization, have reached the same conclusion.
1. Nowadays, people are developing GM foods mainly to fight against______.
| A．urbanization |
| B．population growth |
| C．rising climatic change |
| D．natural resource consumption |
| A．Food production. | B．Food nutrition. |
| C．Food safety. | D．Food variety. |
| A．More GM crops in developing countries. |
| B．Less GM crops in developed countries. |
| C．Rapid adoption of GM crops in Brazil. |
| D．The expansion of GM crop varieties of the world. |
| A．traditional planting technologies are more risky |
| B．the safety of GM crops has been proved in many ways |
| C．the safety of GM crops was reported by the EU in 2010 |
| D．present GM crops are safe for people and the environment |
| A．Supportive. | B．Opposed. |
| C．Unknown. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐3】On a clear night, you can see a sky paced with stars. But you can’t see planets orbiting any of these stars, even with the strongest Earth—based telescopes. Astronomers reported that they discovered seven Earth—sized planets orbiting a nearby star called TRAPPIST – 1 in February. They had to rely on indirect evidence to tell them that the planets are there. By doing some math, they figured out the number of planets and the distance of their orbits.
TRAPPIST – 1 is a red dwarf (红矮星), much smaller than our sun, but larger than Jupiter (木星). If the sun were the size of a basketball, TRAPPIST – 1would be the size of a gold ball. This star is one of our closest neighbors, just like the moon to the earth in space.
When astronomers using Earth-based telescopes to study TRAPPIST – 1, they noticed that every once in a while, it became slightly dim(昏暗). They decided that a planet must be passing in front of the star, blocking part of the light. This dimming would come and go as the planet orbited the star, passing alternately (交替地) behind and in front of the star regularly.
By making careful observations, astronomers expected to get a rough idea of the planet’s size from the pattern of dimming light. But the light level changed often and not at evenly spaced (均匀间隔的) times. The astronomers had to conclude they were looking at more than one planet! To get additional data, NASA’s spritzer Space Telescope measured TRAPPIST –1’s brightness nearly continuously for 20 days, catching 34 crossings of planets in front of the star. Sorting through the mess of data, the astronomers found that the innermost planet completes its orbit in 1.5 Earth days, while the outermost planet takes 20 days. Once you know how long it takes each planet to complete an orbit, you can work out how far it is from the star compared with the other planets.
The TRAPPIST – 1 planets are not alone. So far, astronomers have found more than 3,400 planets that orbit other stars.
1. How did astronomers know the number of planets orbiting TRAPPIST –1?| A．They used their eyes. | B．They used telescopes. |
| C．They performed some calculation. | D．They made some guess. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By providing research results. | D．By listing some numbers. |
| A．The telescope’s failure. | B．The cloud floating around. |
| C．The star’s moving. | D．The passing planets. |
| A．The ways to get the information of the planets. |
| B．The introduction of the planets. |
| C．The distances of the planets to the star. |
| D．The astronomers’ effort of exploring TRAPPIST – 1. |
