Traveling alone can be daunting. I have traveled by myself many times but, on every occasion, there was someone to meet me at the other end of the bus, train or plane journey. This time was different.
Last week I had a holiday from work, but none of my friends had the same week off. I decided that I still wanted to do something, so I booked a train ride to Toronto and reserved a bed in a hostel for one week.
One week by myself. Would I be lonely? Would I be bored? Quite the opposite. In fact, there are many benefits that come from traveling alone. Firstly, I was able to do whatever I wanted. I spent hours in museums that would have seemed boring and dull to some of my friends. I walked all around the city which some people may have found too exhausting. Instead relying on someone else to remember directions or to suggest activities to do, I discovered my independence and developed map-reading skills that I didn’t know I had. I could get up and go to sleep when I wanted and I didn’t have to wait for anyone else to and get ready every morning. Being in the safe environment of a hostel with like-minded travelers also gives a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the worlds, which can combat loneliness.
In spite of the benefits, I found that there were also some disadvantages of traveling alone. I missed having someone to talk to and to bounce ideas off. Experiences are often more enjoyable if they are shared, and part of the fun of traveling is the memories you have afterwards. Without a travel partner, I won’t be able to laugh about and remember my Toronto adventure with a friend or family member in years to come. In addition, eating in a restaurant or cooking in the hostel was less fun on my own.
I am very proud of myself for traveling alone, and I had a fantastic time in Toronto. However, in the future, I think I will always prefer to travel with another person or in a small group. Though, maybe it depends who you travel with — I would rather be by myself than with someone who is lazy, difficult and argumentative.
1. What happened to the author last week?| A．She lost her way during a trip to Toronto. |
| B．She booked a group tour to Toronto with her friends. |
| C．She travelled alone to Toronto during a work vacation. |
| D．She felt lonely away from home and missed her family. |
| A．The author finds it boring and dull to visit museums. |
| B．The author has always had great map-reading skills. |
| C．The author believes she could benefit by travling alone more. |
| D．The author enjoys sharing travling stories with family and friends. |
| A．Learn about. | B．Fight against. | C．Adapt to. | D．Live with. |
| A．Optimistic and talkative. | B．Humorous and generous. |
| C．Ambitious and imaginative. | D．Enthusiastic and independent. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】We have a strange obsession with the concept of perfection. “If I have the perfect parents and perfect grades, then I would be happy.” Under cultural influence, we seek what we can’t have without remembering that we don’t actually need to be perfect. Imperfection allows us to be human.
Parents, teachers and other high-achieving peers will have us believe that we must be perfect if we wish to remain competitive. However, what job or school requires you to have a 2400 SAT, 4.0 GPA and develop a cure for some form of cancer by the age of 18? Although these would be great achievements, are they worth the cost of sleep? We feel like we need the perfect grades to get into the perfect college that will provide us with the perfect education necessary to obtain the perfect job. With this misconception, when writing our resumes(简历), we then seek out experiences that we think may help build a good name for ourselves. Feeding on our thirst for perfection, some college and career industries have been set up claiming to help us reach our goals.
The truth is, you only need to be good enough. Don’t worry about anything secondary to your passions. You won’t become an expert at anything if you spend your time trying to succeed in everything you do. You only become an expert when you devote your time to the one or two projects that truly bring you joy.
As members of this society, we have a responsibility to be excellent in what we do, not perfect. Although perfection can be a goal, it should not be the only goal. We only have 24 hours in a day. Thus, we need to prioritize(优先选择)what we want to do and cut out the activities we cannot do. If you enjoy debating, take a law class and see how it suits you. If you enjoy cooking, experiment in the kitchen and see what you can make!
Try as hard as you can and let your future worry about itself. Worry about your task at hand and you will be successful in achieving your dreams. Above all, remember that you are going to be okay.
1. From the passage, we can learn that ____.| A．perfect grades are necessary when applying to colleges |
| B．many students devote themselves to the cure for cancer |
| C．many students ignore the importance of writing good resumes |
| D．the desire for perfection may cost many students their good health |
| A．As a member of society, we are responsible for being perfect. |
| B．Actually seeking perfection is good for a person’s development. |
| C．Students’ great desire for perfection actually benefits some industries. |
| D．We should make full use of our time to do our planned activities. |
| A．Their real interests. |
| B．Their resumes. |
| C．Their experiences. |
| D．Their weaknesses. |
| A．Getting rid of worries. |
| B．Never trying what they can’t do. |
| C．Having great confidence. |
| D．Accepting their imperfection. |
【推荐2】After a fight and before forgiveness often comes an apology. But saying “I'm sorry” comes more easily for some people than it does for others. Character is vital in creating a sincere apology. Those who lack character are not up to the task. They may try to give apologies that sound genuine. They may even use fancy words, but a real apology demands character. A new study suggests that specific personality traits offer clues about whether a person is likely to offer a sincere apology.
Psychologist Andrew Howell and his colleagues at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton devised a questionnaire to measure a person’s willingness to beg someone’s pardon. They asked participants to indicate their level of agreement with a series of statements, such as “My continued anger often gets in the way of me apologizing” or “If I think no one will know what I have done, I am not likely to apologize.” The researchers then used the answers to determine every participant’s “proclivity（倾向））to apologize,” and they cross-referenced these scores with results from a variety of personality assessments.
From the beginning, Howell was confident that people with high marks for compassion and agreeability would be willing apologizers-and the study results confirmed his hypothesis（假设）. But the experiment also turned up some surprising traits of the unrepentant（不思悔改的）.
People with low self-esteem, for example, are less inclined to apologize, even though they probably feel bad after a conflict. Unlike people who experience guilt about a specific action and feel sorry for the person they have wronged, individuals who experience generalized shame may actually be feeling sorry for themselves.
In contrast, “people who are sure of themselves have the capacity to confess to wrongdoing and address it,” Howell suggests. But just the right amount of self-esteem is key. The study also found that narcissists-people who, in Howell’s words, “are very egocentric, with an overly grand view of themselves”—were reluctant to offer an apology.
The researchers were most surprised to find that a strong sense of justice was negatively correlated with a willingness to apologize, perhaps suggesting that contrition（忏悔）and “an eye for an eye” philosophy are incompatible（不能并存的）, Reconciliation（和解）may end a conflict, but it cannot always settle a score.
1. What kind of people are more likely to apologize?| A．Intelligent people. | B．Confident people. |
| C．People valuing fairness. | D．People feeling sorry for themselves. |
| A．an end of conflict doesn’t mean wrongdoers have been punished |
| B．“an eye for an eye” philosophy cannot solve an argument |
| C．only by deep regret can one learn the lesson of his wrongdoings |
| D．unsatisfactory compromises cannot end a conflict peacefully |
| A．what influences one to be a willing apologizer |
| B．when people might apologize willingly |
| C．what a willing apologizer is all about |
| D．how to become a willing apologizer |
【推荐3】I’m leaving for camp for the next seven weeks. This means no more teens life until I get back. It also means I get a break from reality, my phone, my laptop, and all social media. It’s important to my mind!
My first year at summer camp was when I was 9 years old turning 10. I was excited to be in a new environment. That one year changed me forever. This brings me to today. This will be my seventh summer. I text my friends that camp created a special community for me, one close to my heart. And it taught me how to bond with people. Luckily, I got to know a “big sister”—Jane, such a great role model and cheerleader, sweet, and honest, who is now a senior in college.
This year I’m more excited because I’ll join in a tradition I experienced before. I’m finally going to be a “big sister”. The letter says they feel my love for camp, its tradition, and my enthusiasm. All make up what it takes to be a great role model. It was when that I realized I have to do everything to make sure my “sisters” had the best summer at camp.
Every year when I tell people about the camp, I get either crazy eyes, a look of relief or a look of “what the heck?” Either way, I smile at the response(反应). They don’t understand my connection with camp. Camp is my home away from home and my outlet from reality.
I’ll be busy spending each day in nature, laughing until our stomachs hurt, becoming more present with myself, having no stress, letting go, pressing the reset button, and being in my best self. Summer nineteen is going to be amazing.
1. When was the author changed forever?| A．At the age of nineteen. | B．After entering college. |
| C．When she was about ten. | D．After becoming a “big sister”. |
| A．Luck. | B．Honesty. | C．Creativity. | D．Happiness. |
| A．She was confused by it. | B．She thought highly of it. |
| C．She was crazy about it. | D．She didn’t care about it. |
| A．It’s dull. | B．It’s exhausting. | C．It’s beneficial. | D．It’s convenient. |
【推荐1】Boston Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing
Duck Tours
One of the most popular tours in and around Boston are the legendary Duck Tours, which show you the best that the city has to offer. World War II vehicles take you on a scenic drive around the most famous sites and attractions in the city. With interesting explanation, this novel tour is an enjoyable and fun way to see the city and very much recommended.
New England Aquarium
The aquarium is home to over 7,000 fish and a collection of many different sea creatures. The city’s most visited tourist attraction is complete with exhibit space, gift shop and a cafe with spectacular views of the city and harbor. It also offers whale-watching tours with indoor and outdoor seating — and even seal or walrus (海象) shows.
Boston Public Library
Built in 1848, the Boston Public Library was the first free publicly supported city library in America. With more than 650,000 photographs, 100,000 prints and 250 different papers in the “Newspaper Room” the library now has Internet access, two restaurants and an on-line store with reproductions of its priceless artwork. All exhibits are open to the public and books m only the beginning.
Bull and Finch Pub - Home of Cheers
This world-famous pub is the inspiration for the hugely successful sitcom (情景喜剧) “Cheers”. Although the outside is the same as on television, the inside is completely different. However, although unexpected, this is not a real disappointment as the busy pub is full of reminders of Cheers. The menu serves typical bar food, and is very popular with tourists
If visiting family or staying at one of the luxury Boston hotels downtown, you may want to corner purchasing a “Boston City Pass” as this will enable you to pay half price for most the finest attractions.
1. Peter is travelling in Boston, and he hopes to know the city as soon as possible. Which one is the best choice for him?| A．Duck Tours |
| B．A trip to New England Aquarium |
| C．A visit to Boston Public Library |
| D．A visit to Bull and Finch Pub |
| A．other activities are more recommended here |
| B．reading brings people fun and more than fun |
| C．the books in this library are not really worth reading |
| D．apart from books, the libraries has a lot to offer |
| A．art-lovers can buy reproductions of artwork at the library |
| B．Bull and Finch Pub is the most popular tourist attraction in the city |
| C．visitors can have meals both at the aquarium and at the library |
| D．you can’t watch seal or walrus performances outside in New England Aquarium |
【推荐2】WELCOME
Welcome to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor is one of the official residences (住所) of the Queen, who sometimes stays here.
Audio tours
Free audio tours are available on leaving the Admission Centre at the start of your visit. There is a descriptive audio tour for blind and poorsighted visitors.
Guided tours
Visitors can explore the history of the Castle through a tour of the Precincts with an expert guide. Tours depart at regular intervals throughout the day from the Courtyard and finish at the entrance to the State Apartments.
Visitors with children
For those visiting with children, a special family tour and various activities are offered during school holidays and at weekends. Please note that, for safety reasons, pushchairs are not permitted in the State Apartments. However, baby carriers are available to borrow.
St George’s Chapel
Visitors arriving at the Castle after 15:00 from March to October are advised to visit St George’s Chapel first before it closes.
Shopping
Shops offer a wide range of souvenirs designed for the Royal Collection, including books, postcards, china, jewellery and children’s toys. Please ask at the Middle Ward shop about our home delivery service.
Refreshments
Bottled water can be purchased from the Courtyard and Middle Ward shops. From April to September ice cream is also available. Visitors wishing to leave the Castle for refreshments in the town may obtain reentry permits from the castle shops. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel.
Photography and mobile phones
Noncommercial photography and filming are welcomed in the Castle. Photography, video recording and filming are not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel. Mobile phones must be switched off inside the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel in consideration of other visitors.
Security
As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, visitors and their belongings should get through airport style security checks. For safety and security reasons, a one-way system operates along the visitor route.
1. A visitor can apply for a free audio tour ．| A．at the Admission Center |
| B．in the State Apartments |
| C．in the Courtyard |
| D．at St George’s Chapel |
| A．A security guard. | B．A pushchair. |
| C．A free toy. | D．A baby carrier. |
| A．Visitors buying water from the Courtyard. |
| B．Visitors buying gifts in the castle shops. |
| C．Visitors wishing to eat outside the Castle. |
| D．Visitors eating outside St George’s Chapel. |
| A．To ensure the safety of others. |
| B．To ensure the security of the Castle. |
| C．To prevent them from disturbing others. |
| D．To prevent the use of the built-in cameras. |
Washington was created in 1790，when Congress(国会)decided to place the nation's new capital in the east of the country. It was built halfway between the northern and the southern states of the America. And of course it was named after George Washington，the first President of the United States.
There are many tourist sights in Washington. One of them is the White House. This is the home and office of the President of the United States. Most visitors are，however，surprised by how small the White House actually is.
Washington is also a great culture city. The Library of Congress contains(包括)one of the largest library collections in the world. The Smithsonian Museum holds the nation's largest collection of cultural materials. And John F．Kennedy Center is a famous center of art and culture. It has many great musical and theatre performances throughout the year.
1. The writer mainly talks about________.
| A．Washington |
| B．the history of Washington |
| C．buildings and sights in Washington |
| D．the history and culture of Washington |
| A．the east of the USA |
| B．the center of the USA |
| C．the east，on the middle point from north to south of the country |
| D．the east and halfway away from the north |
| A．general introduction，sights and history |
| B．general introduction，history，sights and culture |
| C．population，history and culture |
| D．history and culture |
| A．Washington is the largest city in the USA |
| B．Washington is also the center of economic in the USA |
| C．Washington is a young city |
| D．it is situated in the west of the USA |
【推荐1】Whenever I get really depressed and anxious, my first impulse is to reach for my phone. Maybe I’ll get a message from a friend or discover some new distraction on social media. Unfortunately, during the past couple of years, one glance at my screen often makes me want to crawl back into bed.
That changed after I made friends with a strange creature named Webot. I’m finding that it makes me feel better-and it might work for you too. Like many apps, Webot sends me messages at random. But instead of tempting me into doom scrolling with shocking news alerts, Webot asks how I’m doing. When I text Webot my troubles, it asks me friendly questions, encourages me, and invites me to express some of my darkest thoughts. There is something intensely comforting about discussing your thoughts with a machine.
There are many therapy apps on the market, both free (like Webot) and paid for. But Webot is a particularly interesting case. Psychology researcher Alison Darcy at Stanford University created it after years of study. She says it was challenging on both a technical and artistic level because the chatbot is a character with its own personality. “It’s as careful a construction as you might find in a novel or poetry. Webot’s personality is humble, warm and wise, ”as Darcy puts it, “Webot isn’t an all-knowing authority. It is a mental health ally”.
Best of all, Webot is always there, even when I’m lying awake in the middle of the night. That’s exactly the point, according to Darcy. “Your therapist should not be in bed with you at 2 a. m,“ she laughs. But Webot can be. You can pull up Webot at the exact moment you need it most.
It is working. Last year, Darcy and her colleagues published a study showing that people like me are forming “bonds” with Webot. Bonding is a “meaningful“ process of “getting something off your chest, or managing your thoughts more objectively”.
And you know what? In the bizarre world of 2023, it might be healthier to bond with a robot than be “engaged“ on social media.
1. What does the underlined word “That” in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．I lost interest in my phone. |
| B．I was tired of social media. |
| C．My phone didn’t understand my impulse. |
| D．My phone didn’t help me feel any better. |
| A．It bonds with me through social media. |
| B．It is a creature that makes me feel better. |
| C．It communicates with me and offers comfort. |
| D．It is a therapist helping me manage my thoughts. |
| A．Because it can build mental connection with us. |
| B．Because it is free and has a favorable personality. |
| C．Because it is carefully constructed in a novel or poetry. |
| D．Because it can keep us informed of shocking news alert. |
| A．To urge us to quit social media. |
| B．To show us the functions of Webot. |
| C．To propose us interacting with Webot. |
| D．To encourage us to share our thoughts. |
【推荐2】Hayley Arceneaux managed to live after bone cancer (癌症). So she isn’t afraid of a little space travel. This fall, she will be on SpaceX’s first private flight to circle Earth. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital chose Arceneaux for the honor (荣誉). She was a patient before she got a job at St. Jude last spring. Arceneaux will join three other people on the flight. She will be the medical officer. At 29 years old, she will be the youngest American to go into space. Arceneaux will also be the first person in space with an artificial (人造的) body part. When she was 10, Arceneaux was given an artificial knee at St. Jude.
The SpaceX flight will circle Earth. It will last two to four days. Billionaire Jared Isaacman paid for the flight. He raised money for St. Jude, which researches childhood cancers. Isaacman asked St. Jude to pick one person. Without telling its workers, leaders at the center chose from a group of workers who were also former patients.
When Arceneaux was home in Tennessee, the call came out of the blue. Her answer was “Yes! Yes! Please!” .But she also checked with her family members. Her brother and sister-in-law work in the space industry. They told her space travel is safe.
Arceneaux is a life long space fan. She is also a risk-taker.
“My fight against cancer really prepared me for space travel,” she said. “It made me strong.” .She can’t wait to show kids with cancer that “the sky is not the limit (界限) anymore.”. She thinks it will “mean so much to these kids to see a former cancer patient in space. ”.
Isaacman, 38, is also a risk-taker. He will lead the spaceflight.
He set out to raise $200 million for St. Jude. He said he would provide 50% of the money.
“It’s not all ... about getting people excited to travel in space someday,” Isaacman said. “It’s also ... about an encouraging message of what we can achieve here on Earth.”
1. What did St.Jude offer to Arceneaux?| A．A chance to travel in space. | B．Free medical treatment. |
| C．A round-the-world trip. | D．An artificial arm. |
| A．Proud. | B．Angry. | C．Upset | D．Excited. |
| A．It would be supported by her family. |
| B．It would encourage kids with cancer. |
| C．It would be bad for her health. |
| D．It would cost a lot of money. |
| A．Adventurous and caring. | B．Friendly and hopeful. |
| C．Helpful and strict. | D．Honest and kind. |
【推荐3】I went to a movie theater with my roommate yesterday. His hobby is watching movies. He is enthusiastic about movies. I was very glad when he said that he would take me to a movie theater. As a student abroad, I always spend my time reading books in the library or studying in the classroom, so I looked forward to going to the movies.
The movie we saw was called “The Patriot”. It described the love between a father and his children during the time of the American War of Independence. It is a war story based on history, but the story was created by the writer for entertainment. The movie was enjoyable in that sometimes it made us laugh, and other times it made us cry. It was a successful movie.
The most amazing thing was the reaction of the audience. It was different. Though I could concentrate on watching a movie in Japan, I could not in America because of the reaction of the audience. They laughed loudly when an actor told a joke and they applauded at the plot when the main character killed his enemy. It was amazing to me that they expressed their emotions openly.
In other words, an American theater is a space for everyone to enjoy. If I did that in a public place in Japan, most of the audience would look down on me or complain about the noisiness, and the person beside me might say, “Could you please be silent? ”
There seems to be a cultural difference between America and Japan. It is said that Americans always express their emotions and opinions and that we always conceal(隐藏)ours. I’m glad to observe such a difference because I can feel I am experiencing a real thing while visiting the United States.
1. The writer wrote the story in order to_________.| A．introduce an enjoyable war movie to us |
| B．show his studying experience in America |
| C．give us some advice on how to behave in a movie theater |
| D．tell us a cultural difference between America and Japan |
| A．He is a Japanese and studies in America. |
| B．He doesn’t work hard at his lessons. |
| C．He is tired of the life as a student abroad. |
| D．He is fond of watching movies very much. |
| A．hide their emotions from strangers |
| B．express their emotions openly |
| C．are not so polite as the Japanese |
| D．look down upon the Japanese |
| A．laugh loudly | B．exchange their ideas |
| C．keep quiet | D．make some comments |
