This Cafe Is Designed for Writers with Deadlines
When you’re a writer with a looming deadline, putting words on the page becomes incredibly difficult. Making yourself focus is easier said than done. But one cafe is here to help you do the work: Manuscript Writing Cafe. Located in Koenji, a district of Tokyo, this co-working space helps writers with deadlines using rules and a minder who will check up on your word count progress. It’s only open to people who are writing.
Manuscript Writing Cafe’s premise sounds perfect. If you’ve tried writing at home or at your local coffee shop with little success, it’s the next step. The cafe’s structure builts in external accountability. When you arrive, you let the staff know how many words you need to or want to write during your session at the cafe. You’ll note that work goal on a card. Then a manager will check up on your progress every hour. As the cafe’s site says:
· Upon entering the store, write down at the reception desk how many words and by what time you are going to write your manuscript.
· The manager asks you every hour how your manuscript is coming along.
· You are not allowed to leave the store until you have finished writing your manuscript or writing project.
· Customers can choose different “courses” in terms of how rigorously staff check up on your progress. For instance, an “S” course sees them hurry you along pretty aggressively, and “M” course has them do it a more mildly.
· The “manuscript writing” at the store includes “translation work”, “proposal writing”, “layout work”, “image processing”, etc., indicating that the store caters to a wide range of people.
You pay to use the space, and if you don’t finish the work you put on your card, the staff won’t let you pay. Thus, you can’t leave without breaking the law. This kind of pressure may not work for everyone, but some folks will thrive.
Since this business primarily functions as a recording and broadcasting studio with Manuscript Writing Cafe operating during the studio’s off hours, it’s not so much about the cafe part. They offer hot beverages, and guests can bring their own snacks or have meals delivered to the cafe. For the rental of your seat, you’ll get Wi-Fi, an outlet, a USB charger, a laptop cooling stand, and access to the “free drink corner” to get coffee or to make hot tea.
All I know is my town needs a Manuscript Writing Cafe.
1. Which of the following is true according to the passage?| A．Professionals in the cafe will offer help to ease customers’ writing burden. |
| B．Customers should complete the writing task on their own in given time. |
| C．Guests are not allowed to bring their own snacks or meals to the cafe. |
| D．Guests should pay rentals for their reserved seat as well as Wi-Fi service and an outlet. |
| A．a highlight that meets the needs of coffee lovers |
| B．a reminder that cautions bad guys against illegal temptations |
| C．a condition that requires customers to be self-disciplined |
| D．an ecosystem where shop owners and customers can interact together |
| A．David, who feels lonely and wants to be sociable. |
| B．Johnson, who is writing non-fiction for newspaper. |
| C．Stella, who is an audio-book retailer. |
| D．Miranda, who is going to write a letter to her friend. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】In this world, in many cases, a lot of same things can be united together. Also, many opposite things cannot be united by many people. But there is always a chance to unite two different things in one work. The following passage will tell you more about the possibility of combining painting and poetry.
Perhaps, it is not a new idea that a great work can be created by combining paintings and poems. In this case, we can unite both things in two ways. The first way is to make the poem as the main inspiration for the painting. It is also possible to write a poem after looking at a painting.
What about the next idea to combine painting and poetry? Well, we can combine both of them on a canvas. You can paint an oil painting on it and then write down the poem on that canvas. I do not know whether this kind of idea has been used for years. But this is quite a great new idea for me. It will make more people love painting and poetry at the same time. You will not need to read the poem on plain white cloth anymore.
A poem is a good way to represent a story or a thought. It is usually not too long and not easy to be understood literally (照字面意义). It is a series of words arranged in stanza (诗节) and lines with rhyme, which are quite changeable. Therefore, combining it with another type of art (such as painting) would be very good. You can get the message of the poem through the colors on the canvas. All you need to do is to use your creativity to make a painting with the right color and with great words on it.
1. The underlined word “canvas” in Paragraph 3 probably means ____.| A．a wall of a building | B．a piece of paper |
| C．cloth for painting | D．the screen of a computer |
| A．Painting and poetry are so alike that they can be united. |
| B．Poetry can inspire us to paint and the opposite is also true. |
| C．Painting and poetry have been recently combined together. |
| D．The author created the idea of combining painting and poetry. |
| A．not being too long | B．being representative |
| C．having deep meanings | D．having fixed forms |
【推荐2】Airplanes are known for "making" people sick. Fortunately, I've got the inside scoop on some practices that will keep you healthy on the plane and a head start on staying healthy during your travels.
Start taking immunity support products BEFORE you begin your trip.
Immunity support products come in a variety of forms. They are designed to prepare your body for physical stress by loading you up on the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants（抗氧化） that support great immune system functioning .
If your body is weak at the beginning of the trip, any germ or bacteria is going to have easy access to your system. Get those defenses in place a few days before travel and give your body the best chance to stay healthy.
Antibacterial wipes are your best friend.
Take a minute to think about that airplane. How many people are touching literally every surface with hands that have blocked a sneeze, been coughed into, held the handrail of the moving sidewalk?
Take along plenty of individually wrapped antibacterial wipes and use them everywhere. Wipe down the armrests, the seat belt buckle, the tray table and the remote control for the in-flight entertainment.
Wear slip-on shoes.
Many articles instruct passengers to wear socks on the airplane for comfort. However, if you walk down the aisle in your socks, or even worse, use the restroom, the bottom of those socks are going to pick up all kinds of dirt. So wear shoes when you move around on the plane! Let your shoes provide a barrier to whatever might be lying on the floor.
1. Why do planes easily make people sick according to the writer?| A．People lack practice to keep fit. |
| B．There are many bacteria on the plane. |
| C．People have too much entertainment during the flight. |
| D．People's immune system fails to work on the plane. |
| A．By wearing socks. |
| B．By stopping feeling stressful. |
| C．By blocking coughing with hands. |
| D．By taking some supportive products. |
| A．Advice on safety | B．A worthwhile trip |
| C．Stay healthy on a flight | D．Be careful of your flight |
【推荐3】You have a nice salary, but you still feel short of money. At the end of each month, you often ask yourselves, “Where has all my money gone?” To help you better manage your salary, here come some money saving tips.
Watch your social life. Pack the leftovers for the next day when you have dinner in a restaurant. When it’s your turn to offer a meal, invite your friends to your home, and cook the dinner yourself. If you are to attend a wedding ceremony and an expensive present is needed, ask several friends to go together to share a present.
Budget your daily expense. Change electric wares into energy-efficient ones and leave no more than one light open when you leave home. Buy vegetables from a market not a supermarket where vegetables are less expensive and fresher. When going to a supermarket, take a notebook with you. Write down what you want to buy to avoid buying unnecessary stuffs.
Develop the habit of saving money. Learn to keep a diary of how much you have spent and what it’s for.
| A．Set your ambitious goals |
| B．You need to keep an eye on goods information |
| C．Send the gifts to others instead of throwing them away |
| D．You can put money into your bank account every month |
| E．Besides, it’s a good idea to broaden your way of earning money |
| F．Think twice before using money on expensive skin care products |
| G．For things like shampoo, soap or washing powder, buy the family pack |
【推荐1】Happiness, that short and delightful feeling, seems all too rare in 2020. But there's one place where happiness is the name of the game. And, no, we're not talking about Disney World.
Denmark, currently the second happiest country on earth, is now home to The Happiness Museum, which is created by The Happiness Research Institute, a think tank focusing on well-being, happiness and quality of life. The eight-room museum is devoted to literally bringing happiness to life, reminding visitors what it is that gives value to them and makes them feel good. Led by Meik Wiking, author of three international bestsellers, the museum opened on July 14 in a small 240-square-meter space in Copenhagen.
Visitors to the museum will find many interactive exhibits. Each room is devoted to a specific approach to studying happiness. The politics of happiness exhibit asks questions about the role of elections and GDP in determining national happiness. There's also a geography of happiness section that explores the role of built environments on happiness levels, as well as showing a world map with the World Happiness Report 2020's happiness ranking of 153 countries. There are other sections like the science of happiness, the history of happiness and what lies in store for the future.
Certain museum exhibits include visitors' personal perception of happiness. Can you determine which half of the Mona Lisa's mouth smiles? How do you explain the meaning of happiness? The museum houses a vast collection of donated artworks donated by people from around the globe, which remind them of happy moments in their lives.
While the museum is a very optimistic place to be, it's also aware of the difficulties of being a public place in the middle of a global pandemic (流行病). The museum has strict policies in place to ensure social distancing and safety, including only allowing 50 visitors at a time and a one-way path through the museum.
1. What's the main purpose of creating The Happiness Museum?| A．To remind people to read books on happiness. |
| B．To help visitors learn and experience happiness. |
| C．To advise visitors to share happiness with others. |
| D．To tell people ways to improve their quality of life. |
| A．In the science of happiness section. | B．In the history of happiness section. |
| C．In the politics of happiness section. | D．In the geography of happiness section. |
| A．Understanding. | B．Praising. | C．Documenting. | D．Misusing. |
| A．The challenge it faces at present. |
| B．Its difficulty in receiving visitors. |
| C．Its positive attitude towards future. |
| D．The safety measures it takes for visitors. |
【推荐2】Tokyo — Manuscript Writing Cafe only allows writers on a deadline, and won’t let them leave until finished.
“The Manuscript Writing Cafe only allows in people who have a writing deadline to face!” owner Takuya Kawai tweeted. “It’s in order to maintain a level of focus and tense atmosphere at the Cafe! Thanks for your understanding.”
The Cafe charges customers by time used (it operates at a rate of 150 yen or $1.32 per 30 minutes), and is equipped with USB ports, computer stands, and free Wi-Fi. Struggling writers can also bring their own food and drinks since coffee and water are the only things available, but it’s pretty strict when it comes to the actual writing. Although the Manuscript Writing Cafe actually accepts a wide range of writers, from translators and copywriters to novelists and proofreaders, the rules are the same for everyone.
When entering the Cafe, customers must write down how many words they plan to write and by what time they plan to finish. Every hour, the staff will check on their progress and apply a predetermined pressure level to help move things along. For example, opting for the “S” course will have the staff more aggressively pushing you to get the work done, while the “M” course involves a more mild approach. However, the craziest rule of the Cafe is that writers are not allowed to end their session until reaching their declared goal or until the place closes down for the day. It’s not clear how the Café enforces this rule, but it is meant to keep customers from declaring ambitious targets they won’t be able to meet.
While some found it amazing, others said it was too much pressure. “If it were me, I would no longer be able to leave the store and would end up having to live there,” one person commented.
1. Which word can best describe the Cafe?| A．Relaxing. | B．Unique. | C．Academic. | D．Conventional. |
| A．Jenny, whose job is to edit advertising materials. |
| B．Tom, who is interested in reading some proofs of documents. |
| C．Peter, who translates messages from one language to another orally. |
| D．Mary, who is accustomed to writing her novels without any pressure. |
| A．To explain a rule. | B．To present a fact. |
| C．To make a comparison. | D．To clarify a concept. |
| A．Customers hold negative attitudes towards the Cafe. |
| B．Writers can leave the Cafe only when they get the work finished. |
| C．Customers must write down how many words they plan to write. |
| D．The Cafe staff may discourage the customers from setting unachievable goals. |
【推荐3】ABOUT MUSUME
Who We Are
Musume offers contemporary Asian cuisine and fantastic sushi (寿司) in the heart of downtown Dallas within the Hall Arts district. Musume, which translates to “Daughter” in Japanese is from Rock Libations restaurant group. Musume serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner every night of the week. Musume features the country’s largest premium saki (清酒) program with over 120 selections and also possesses the largest Japanese Whisky collection in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which pair wonderfully with our large party menus. Operations are overseen by Josh Babb and Sean Clavir.
Private Events at Musume
Our elegant private dining room located in Dallas highly acclaimed Hall Arts District comfortably seats 15 to 50 people. From cocktail gatherings with passed starters to seated formal dinners, Musume specializes in hosting unique private events. We offer a wide variety of special event menus that are served family style with something for everyone.
Location
Hall Arts District 2330 Flora St. Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75201 (214)871-8883
Hours
Monday-Thursday:11:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:00 pm-10:00 pm.
Friday:11:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:00 pm-11:00 pm.
Saturday:5:00 pm-11:00 pm.
Sunday:5:00 pm-10:00 pm.
Welcome to book now!
1. Which can be found in the writing above?| A．Musume’s location. |
| B．Discount information. |
| C．The popularity of Musume. |
| D．The information about minimum charge. |
| A．has no choice but Japanese cuisine |
| B．has no chance to taste alcohol there |
| C．can go to Musume at noon on Sunday |
| D．can call Musume to make a reservation |
| A．A textbook. |
| B．A web page. |
| C．A leisure magazine. |
| D．A business column. |
【推荐1】Tips on How to Survive the Exam Season
When it comes to the exam season, a lot of you may feel stressed, depressed or even want to escape. Here we have pieces of advice to help you get it through.
During the semester, going to lectures and taking a lot of notes are the first steps in the learning process. Now, at the end of the week, gather all the notes you took during the week and run through your notes quickly,
Switch between different types of revision.
Make the facts more relatable.
There are many different ways to do so. I'm going to give you two examples and the first one is to create vivid images, which can be really helpful for studying history.
Teach and learn outside of the classroom.
In my experience, teaching is the most efficient way of studying. By explaining the materials to yourself or to someone else, you'll remember them a lot better.
Test yourself with past papers.
At the end of the whole study process, you should prepare yourself to do past papers properly. Time yourself, don't cheat, and mark it as if it were your real exam. Pay attention to the mistakes and revise the part you didn't do well on until you can't get it wrong any more.
| A．Prepare yourself in advance. |
| B．Make sure to be tough on yourself. |
| C．Even if you are motivated to study, everyone gets bored after a couple of hours of studying. |
| D．While doing this, constantly ask yourself, "Do I understand what I am reading？" |
| E．Ask your parents or other family members to act as students and listen to your explanation. |
| F．Try to imagine how the events took place and this allows you to remember certain details more accurately. |
| G．Look for a study buddy or small study group, and discuss everything you have studied before the exam. |
【推荐2】The human-like robot Valkyrie looks powerful. It stands 188 centimeters tall and weighs 136 kilograms. Valkyrie is named after supernatural females in Norse mythology. The robot is being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The robot is designed to operate in “…damaged human-engineered environments,” like areas hit by natural disasters. But robots like Valkyrie could also work in space one day. Ro-bots that look like humans, or humanoid robots, have a torso (躯干), head, two arms and two legs. Engineers believe that humanoid robots will be able to work similarly to humans and use the same tools and equipment. They just need the right software.
Humanoid robots in space could do such jobs include cleaning solar panels or dealing with equipment outside the spacecraft. As a result, human astronauts could pay more attention to exploration and discovery. Humanoid robots are not made to replace human crews, but just try to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities.
NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Apptronik. The goal is to learn how humanoid robots developed for purposes on Earth could help the development of future humanoid robots meant for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose jobs on Earth will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants. The robot can move packages and organize objects. Apptronik plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025.
In years to come, those “unstructured” areas could include space. The robots are being designed so they can be easily changed to do many different jobs. Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications.
NASA is aiming to find out what areas it needs to look into “to bring a terrestrial (地球陆地) system into the space environment”.
1. What makes robot Valkyrie work similarly to humans?| A．The strong torso. | B．The proper software. |
| C．The perfect figure. | D．The appearance design. |
| A．Human astronauts could be replaced by robots. |
| B．Human astronauts lead an easy life in space. |
| C．Humanoid robots could do dangerous jobs. |
| D．Humanoid robots perform advanced researches. |
| A．To manufacture plants. | B．To deliver objects. |
| C．To move packages. | D．To apply further in space. |
| A．Uninvolved. | B．Unorganized. | C．Undivided. | D．Uncontrolled. |
【推荐3】Partly due to a historical development marked by worldwide colonialism, urbanization, and globalization, in the course of this century humankind is likely to experience its most extreme cultural loss. As K. David Harrison notes in When Languages Die, “The last speakers of probably half of the world’s languages are alive today.” Their children or grandchildren are pressured to speak only the dominant language of their community or country. Under one estimate, more than 50% of the 6,900 or so languages identified nowadays are expected to become extinct in a matter of a few decades.
As a cognitive system, a language shows dynamic properties that cannot exist independently of its speakers. This is the sense in which the Anatolian languages and Dalmatian are extinct. Therefore, language preservation depends on the maintenance of the native-speaking human groups. Unfortunately, the most accelerated loss of distinct languages takes place where economic development is rapid, worsening the breakdown of minority communities that speak different languages. In this perspective, a language often begins to die long before the passing of the last speaker: New generations may start using it only for limited purposes, increasingly shifting to the community’s dominant language. In this process, knowledge of the dying language erodes both at the individual level and at the community level.
Linguistic diversity itself may be the worst loss at risk, because it may be the most promising and precise source of evidence for the range of variation allowed in the organization of the human cognitive system. For instance, Harrison discusses many strategies for manipulating quantities across languages, often endangered ones. The rapid loss of linguistic diversity substantially hinders comparative investigation about the multiple ways in which a single cognitive domain can be organized.
Linguists are well aware that their efforts alone cannot prevent this loss. Community involvement specially with government support, has proven essential in slowing or even reversing language loss in different cases (e.g. Basque and Irish). Crucially, endangered languages must be acquired by new generations of speakers. Here the biological metaphor adopted by Harrison applies appropriately - documentation of dead languages is akin to a fossil record, providing only partial clues about complex cognitive systems.
1. According to the first paragraph, language loss _________.| A．is caused partly by colonialism, urbanization and globalization |
| B．is the most extreme cultural loss people experience |
| C．is expected to occur in a few centuries. |
| D．occurs in less than half of the world’s 6,000 languages |
| A．the disappearance of its last speakers |
| B．the fact that new generations stop using it |
| C．the official ban on speaking it |
| D．its new generations’ decreased use of it |
| A．turning endangered languages into dominant languages |
| B．protecting minority groups by slowing economic growth |
| C．relying on the joint efforts of linguists and government |
| D．conducting comparative investigation across languages |
| A．dead languages are similar to fossils in biological sense |
| B．documentation is not enough for us to understand dead languages |
| C．fossil records give a complete picture of ancient lives |
| D．dead languages can remain alive if they are documented properly |
