Too much work, too little money and not enough opportunity for promotion, .or growth are stressing us out on the job, according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association.
We all know that stress reduces all of the things that help productivity— mental clarity (清晰), short-term memory, decision-making and moods. One-third of employees experience lasting stress related to work, the survey found. Fifty-four percent of the 1,501 employed adults surveyed say they feel they are paid too little for their contributions, and 61% said their jobs don’t offer adequate opportunities to advance. Only half of the adults surveyed said they feel valued at work.
Besides, women’s stress is rising as families rely more on women’s earnings. An employed wife’s contribution to family earnings has reached, on average, 47% since 2009, so women feel especially stuck and tense. Thirty-two percent of women said their employers don’t provide sufficient opportunities for internal advancement, compared with 30% of men. Women are more likely to feel tense during a typical workday, reporting more often that their employer doesn’t appreciate what they do.
Physically, the body responds to stress by secreting hormones into the bloodstream that stimulate accelerated (加速的) heart rate and breathing and tensing of muscles. People who experience stress as a positive often have increased blood flow to the brain, muscles and limbs, similar to the effects of aerobic exercise. Those who feel frightened or threatened, however, often have an unstable heart rate and constricting wood vessels (血管). Their blood pressure rises and hands and feet may grow cold. They may become agitated, speak more loudly or experience errors in judgment.
Emotional responses to stress often divide along gender lines, with men more likely to have a “fight or flight” reaction while women are more likely to have a tend and befriend” response, seeking comfort in relationships and care of loved ones, according to the research.
Women tend to “internalize”, which contributes to their stress. Many women hesitate to speak up for themselves or challenge behavior they see as unfair. Kay Keaney, interior designer, 40, rose fast at a California medical group, taking on responsibility for interior and facility planning. With her 60-hour workweeks, plus early-morning and late-night meetings and a 1.5-hour commute each way, she seldom had time with her two small children. Whether stuck in traffic on her way to a 6 p.m. pickup at day care, or tom between her children and urgent work emails, “I just wanted to crawl out of my skin,” she says. “I was overwhelmed.” Yet she hesitated to complain. “There was too much work to be done, and playing the Mommy card was bad form.” But the experts suggest that women should give themselves a voice.
1. The underlined word “agitated” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ________.| A．fearful | B．optimistic | C．anxious | D．ambitious |
| A．Everyone has a painful sense of being under-appreciated or under-paid. |
| B．An increasing number of people feel satisfied with work-life balance. |
| C．An improving job market is making some people’s work lives easier. |
| D．Most women have higher levels of work stress than the opposite sex. |
| A．relieving oneself from stress involves being frank as well as brave |
| B．experiencing symptoms of lasting stress causes communication barriers |
| C．seeking comfort from friends or relatives has little to do with office stress |
| D．being challenged or devalued by others leads to numerous health problems |
| A．Other aspects in life affected by stress in work. |
| B．Tips to help women handle their hard times properly. |
| C．Examples to show the different gender responses to stress. |
| D．Reasons why people are likely to feel tense when working. |
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【推荐1】Given that motivation is so central to our lives, what do we truly understand about how it operates and about its role in our lives? The assumption is that it’s driven by a positive, external (外部的）reward. Do this, get that. But the story is much more complex.
One of the most striking aspects of motivation is that it often drives us to achievements that are difficult, challenging and even painful. You may think that you would be happy to spend all your time sitting on a white-sand beach drinking and that as long as you get to fill your days this way, you would be happy forever. But while a few days of enjoyment might be fun from time to time, I can’t imagine that you would be satisfied by spending your days, weeks, months, years and even your life this way.
Research that examines the differences between meaning and happiness finds that the things which give us a sense of meaning don’t necessarily make us happy. Moreover, people who report having meaningful lives are often more interested in doing things for others, while those who focus mostly on doing things for themselves report being only superficially happy, in other words, just externally and apparently delighted. The essential quality of “meaning” has to do with having a sense of being involved in something bigger than the self.
We all know people obtain a great sense of meaning even in the most unpleasant of circumstances. Many volunteers spend portions of their lives working in dangerous, war-torn areas, tiding to keep disease and death from innocent civilians or teaching orphans to read. Their pain is real; their sense of doing something truly meaningful is substantial (丰富的). They show how our deep-rooted desire to believe that our lives have purpose beyond our lifespan drives us to work extra hard, even to the point of our own personal suffering, in order to gain more meaning.
The point is that these seemingly unusual and irrational (不合理的）motivations get us to do things that are complex, difficult and unpleasant. But they go beyond helping people in need. They motivate us in every aspect of our lives — whether in our personal relationships, in our individual pursuits or in the workplace.
1. What’s the main idea of the passage? (No more than 10 words)2. Why is motivation so significant to our life? (No more than 15 words)
3. What is the meaning of the underlined word “superficially” in Paragraph 3? (No more than 1 word)
4. What can volunteers obtain working in dangerous, war-torn areas? (No more than 10 words)
5. Do you agree with the opinion that motivation is driven by a positive, external reward? Why or why not? (No more than 20 words)
【推荐2】Unexpected Things About Archaeology (考古学)
Archaeology is an amazing career. We get to explore and debate how life has been and can be lived, and we get to share this knowledge with people in a way which benefits society. If you don’t know an archaeologist or haven’t worked with one before, you might not know what they actually do or you might think we do things that we don’t.
Not all archaeology is underground.
A lot of people think of archaeology as being buried in the ground, but any physical material can tell us about the past.
You might think archaeologists are only interested in the most precious items, like coins, valuable jewellery or well-preserved objects. But often the most common items, like pottery, clay tobacco pipes, glass bottles or bricks, can tell them the most information. They help build a picture of people’s lives. Sometimes, not finding an object we thought would be there tells us something about the people.
Archaeologists don’t use brushes very often.
Many people think archaeologists spend all day brushing dirt off the items they find. They do sometimes use brushes to clean surfaces for clear photographs. But they mainly use tools like trowels, shovels or mattocks. A normal day involves a lot of heavy digging.
Archaeologists can use technology to learn what is underground instead of digging.
Archaeology is a science, an art and a form of physical work. It’s varied and can appeal to people with different interests and skills. It may take you on a journey you don’t expect!
| A．Archaeology is for everybody. |
| B．Archaeologists aren’t only interested in gold. |
| C．Archaeologists don’t have to dig to learn about what is underground. |
| D．So we pulled together a list of things you might not know about archaeology. |
| E．This means above-ground remains, like buildings, are important forms of evidence. |
| F．They also must work quickly as they’re usually part of a wider construction project. |
| G．Archaeologists get more information about the history of an area with every site they dig. |
【推荐3】“You’re hired！”
You’ve probably already been filling out job applications or talking to family or friends about getting a part－time job.And good for you! You’ll get an early start learning how to work.So how, exactly, do you get a part－time job？
Secret #1：Do your homework.Showing up for an interview unprepared is like taking a driving test without ever opening the manual (手册): FAIL.So give yourself a primer (初级读本) on the job and the business first.A few ways to know your stuff: Has the company been in the news lately?
Secret #2：
Secret #3：It pays to get there early.
1.Find a place to sit (like a chair in the hall or across the street at a coffee shop).
2.Take slow, deep breaths.
3.Repeat that 5～10 times!
Secret #4：Don’t skip breakfast.On interview day, make sure you’re running on healthy fuel, like a piece of bread and a banana.
| A．What can you learn from its website? |
| B．Questions are as important as answers. |
| C．Do you want to build up your confidence? |
| D．You will compete for a dream job one day. |
| E．They’ll give you the energy to do your best! |
| F．Think of yourself as a product you have to sell! |
| G．When you’re in a rush, you start off feeling tired and anxious. |
【推荐1】Population：Is 8 billion people too many?
The world’s population has reached 8 billion people.
For now, we can both acknowledge the downsides of the 8 billionth human and believe this is an occasion worth celebrating.
| A．We’ve reached this milestone |
| B．Actually, some population alarmism is appropriate |
| C．The end of population expansion is now foreseeable |
| D．The truth is that the population in developed nations has remained stable |
| E．With any luck, the massive challenge of global aging will spur innovation |
| F．The increasing global population will put more pressure on resources and produce far more emissions |
| G．In contrast, various experts have been put forward “nightmare consequences” about overpopulation since 1960s |
【推荐2】Have you ever wondered where the chocolate in your favorite candy bar comes from? Choco-
late comes from the cacao tree, which grows in warm, tropical areas of West Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and South America. And who eats the delicious chocolate made from the cacao grown in these places? The majority of chocolate is consumed in Europe and North America. This probably sounds like a familiar story-developing countries produce inexpensive raw materials that are manufactured and sold as finished goods in developed countries, and generally, that is what happens with chocolate. Large chocolate companies buy cacao beans at a low price and produce cocoa and chocolate products to sell at a relatively high price.
But the familiar story has a new chapter. Beginning in the 1980s, some consumers learned that cacao farmers were living difficult and uncertain lives. The farmers received money for their crops based on world markets, and the market price for cacao was sometimes so low that farmers received less for their crops than the crops had cost to produce. In response, groups of consumers in Europe and the United States developed "fair trade" organizations to guarantee that farmers of cacao, as well as coffee and tea, would receive fair and consistent prices for their crops.
Fair trade organizations benefit farmers by buying cacao beans or other products from them directly at higher-than-market prices and eliminating（消除）“middle men" such as exporters. Fair trade organizations also encourage farming techniques that are not harmful to the environment or to farm workers. for example, growing cacao without chemical pesticides or fertilizers in the shade of rain forest trees.one organization, Equal Exchange, helps farmers set up farming cooperatives in which they can share resources and work on projects such as community schools. Another, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International(FLO),guarantees that products bearing its label meet standards that improve the lives of growers and producers.
The results of fair trade are a better standard of living for some farmers and nicer chocolate bars made with organically produced cocoa that consumers don't feel guilty about buying. And al- though fair trade chocolate is somewhat more expensive than other chocolate and now makes up only 1% of chocolate sold, the fair trade idea is spreading quickly. You may soon see fair trade chocolate right next to the more famous bars in your favorite store.
1. The underlined word“that”in Paragraph l refers to ．| A．the unfair trade between countries |
| B．the high price of chocolate products |
| C．the traditional production of raw materials |
| D．the major consumption of the finished food |
| A．promote chocolate sales |
| B．offer support to the farmers |
| C．reduce the cost of growing crops |
| D．increase the production of chocolate |
| A．There will be more fair trade chocolate ill the future. |
| B．Fair trade chocolate is not as tasty as other chocolate. |
| C．Consumers feel guilty about buying fair trade chocolate. |
| D．There is probably no reason to worry about cacao farmers. |
| A．giving tips on how to undertake fair chocolate trade |
| B．advising people to join in Fair trade organizations |
| C．encouraging farmers to adopt organic farming |
| D．informing people of fair trade chocolate |
【推荐3】What will you do if you can’t eat everything bought in the canteen?
Food waste, which has become a global issue, serves as a mirror that reflects various cultural and social issues in different countries. In the West, for instance, consumerism, the belief that it’s good to use a lot of goods and services, is often to blame for food waste.
| A．Students waste is extremely serious, |
| B．To reduce food waste is a big task, and it needs time. |
| C．China, in turn, features its own eating culture. |
| D．But canteen waste is merely the tip of the iceberg. |
| E．So we shouldn’t waste our food. |
| F．Students can never realize the serious food waste situation. |
| G．Most of us would simply throw away any leftover food. |
In the forest, trees often give each other space to reach for the sky,a habit that humans can learn from when it comes to setting personal boundaries.
Next time you go for a walk in a forest or woodland take a moment to look above you. You might find that the crown(树冠）resembles a breathtaking umbrella with channel-like gaps between the tops of the trees. This phenomenon has been documented worldwide since the 1920s, and is called “crown shyness”. It happens when trees appear to give each other space.
Even when trees grow close together, they show a mutual (相互的）respect and offer benefits. This is true in the case of “married” trees -where a tree intertwines（缠绕）with one resistant to disease, it shares the advantages of its friend. Maintaining healthy boundaries help trees to maintain good health, manage resources and protect the forest as a whole.
When humans fail to respect boundaries, the emotional and physical resources of individuals,and the community can be affected. In this sense, a boundary is a conceptual border. It helps to establish where you end and other people begin. It means taking responsibility for only your own emotions and actions, not other people’s. You could think of your boundaries as a moat (护城河）around your castle, complete with a drawbridge that can be lowered or raised. As the gatekeeper of your castle, you decide who and what comes in and when.
Of course, marking out boundaries takes time, and some people might be unhappy about any changes you make. Establishing a clear line between you and the rest of the world, however, is essential for building the self-worth and self-care needed to function at your best in relationships.
1. What is “crown shyness”?| A．A crown with channel-like gaps. |
| B．A forest with umbrella-shaped crowns. |
| C．A behavior that trees give each other space. |
| D．A phenomenon that trees compete for space. |
| A．By telling a story. |
| B．By giving an example. |
| C．By defining a concept. |
| D．By making a comparison. |
| A．The effects of ignoring boundaries. |
| B．The meaning of taking responsibilities. |
| C．The importance of setting personal boundaries. |
| D．The methods of managing individual resources. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Intolerant. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Conservative. |
【推荐2】Studying a subject that you feel pointless is never a fun or easy task. If you're studying history, asking yourself the question "why is history important "is a very good first step. History is an essential part of human civilization. You will find something here that will arouse your interest, or get you thinking about the significance of history.
History grounds us in our roots. History is an important and interesting field of study, and learning the history of our home country can give us a deeper, more meaningful glimpse（一瞥）into our ancestral pasts, and how we got to where we are today. Many people feel like they need a sense of cultural belonging, which is something that studying your roots and being open-minded to the evolution of your culture can provide.
History enriches our experience. Reading history is an amazing experience because it enables us to reflect on the social and economic life of the people living long time ago. According to the experts, problems faced by people regardless of the past and present are the same. With the information about the ancestors, one can become more experienced in handling challenges of life.
History makes us more empathetic（具有共情能力的）, Studying history can give us insight （洞察力）into why our culture does certain things, and how the past has shaped it into what we know now. It also provides a rather strong foundation for empathy across cultures. Fear and hate for others is usually caused by ignorance （无知）. We're scared of the things that we don't understand. History has the potential to break down those boundaries by offering us insight into entire worlds that would otherwise be foreign to us.
History can inspire us to learn more. what's fantastic about history is the way it broadens our horizons. It's almost impossible to learn about one historical period without having dozens of questions about related concepts. Study the 19th century England, and you might catch a glimpse of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Look up Charles Dickens, and you might learn a thing or two about realism. Or maybe you end up switching your attention away from novels, and discover the history of romantic poets in England. It can go anywhere, and there is something in there for absolutely anybody.
The value of history cannot be underestimated. We don't have to live in the past, but we can definitely do better by learning from it and using the lessons learnt to lead more meaningful lives.
1. The underlined part "where we are today" in Para. 2 probably means __________.| A．the turning point in our history |
| B．the present state of our nation |
| C．the location of our homeland |
| D．the total area of our country |
| A．The problems at present are similar to those in the past. |
| B．Ancient people laid economic foundations for people today. |
| C．The current challenges of life were predicted by the ancestors. |
| D．People living long time ago knew more about how to solve problems. |
| A．It is difficult to get rid of cultural barriers. |
| B．People are willing to accept foreign cultures. |
| C．Cultural conflicts in history are difficult to ignore. |
| D．History helps us improve our cross-cultural awareness. |
| A．Charles Dickens contributes much to British literature. |
| B．Oliver Twist can satisfy our curiosity for romantic poets. |
| C．reading novels is a way to learn about a historical period. |
| D．studying history can arouse people's interest in other fields. |
| A．How to Build Cultural Identity |
| B．Why Studying History Matters |
| C．Know the Past, Know the Present |
| D．History: a Way to Broaden Horizons |
【推荐3】Last night's meteor (流星) shower left many people in Emerald Valley dissatisfied. They gathered in the suburbs of the city with heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. However, what they found was a sky so brightened by the city's lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.
“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment.”
Astronomers—scientists who study stars and planets—have been complaining about this problem for many years. They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.
Besides professional and amateur (业余的) star observers, there is yet a population that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds, bats, frogs, and snakes etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds. According to the International DarkSky Association, “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers. ”
Countless animals injuries and deaths result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings, but some scientists think it can be harmful to humans, too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase people's chances of getting cancer.
Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of light pollution. For years, Flagstaff, Arizona has enforced lighting rules in its city in order to help astronomers with their observations. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.
1. It happened last night that ________．| A．the city's lights affected the meteor watching |
| B．the meteors flew past before being noticed |
| C．the city’s lights show attracted many people |
| D．the meteor watching ended in a social outing |
| A．birds may take other migration paths |
| B．animals' living habits may change suddenly |
| C．varieties of animals will become sharply reduced |
| D．animals' survival is threatened by outdoor lighting |
| A．reduce the chance of getting cancer |
| B．create an ideal observation condition |
| C．ensure people a good sleep at night |
| D．enable all creatures to live in harmony |
| A．Saving wildlife is saving ourselves. |
| B．Great efforts should be made to save energy. |
| C．Human activities should be environmentally friendly. |
| D．New equipment should be introduced for space study. |
