1 . We all have friends that need a little advice, but one of the problems with those types of conversations is that it’s really easy to come off as a know-it-all when you’re offering help. When you do that, nobody’s going to listen.

    1     But it’s not an easy conversation to have someone, especially when you know all the extenuating circumstances of the situation. I talked with relationship and family therapist Roger S. Gil to get some advice for dealing with these situations.

Obviously not everyone is looking for your advice. Before you go offering up your point of view, make sure they’re interested in hearing it. As Roger Gil points out, often friends aren’t looking for you to solve a problem. They just want you to listen and maybe ask some questions. So, ask if they’d like to hear your input or insights on a problem, but also ask questions about why thee feel a certain way. If they say “no”, let them finish their story and listen politely.    2    Just wait for them to finish complaining before offering advice (or asking if they want). Sometimes the best way to figure something out is to do it on their own.

Speaking of listening. It’s also a good idea to figure out right away what your friends want from you. Gil describes this as differentiating between opinions, expert advice, and being a “sounding board”. Essentially, don’t pretend like you know something you don’t.     3    

Now that you know whether or not your friends or family actually want your advice, it’s time to learn how to advise without sounding like a know-it-all. This is a lot harder than you might think. As Gil points out, one way to offer advice without sounding pretentious (自以为是的) is to avoid “You should” statements.    4     By offering up your opinion clearly defined as your opinion, you remove the implication that “you know best”.

A．Definitely don’t act like you’ve been in a situation you haven’t been in.

B．Different situations require different approaches so we need to know what we should contribute.

C．Gil also adds that even when you know the answer to something, you might want to keep your mouth shut.

D．Gil’s advice, seems obvious, but it’s incredibly easy to get on your high-horse and use “You should” if you’re not careful.

E．When you have a friend who’s stuck in trouble, it’s normal to want to provide some type of insight to get them out of it.

F．However, the key is to make sure you stay in “listening mode” for as long as possible, and you don’t push your advice when it isn’t wanted.

2 . DON’T FORGET

POSTCODE YOUR PROPERTY

In only 9% of cases where something has been stolen is property returned.

Marked property can stop burglars because it’s harder for a thief to sell and can help the police to return it if found.

Mark items with some understandable information-showing your postcode and the number of your house or flat or the first two letters of its name-using a permanent etching tool or an ultraviolent marker pen. Only use UV marking when other methods would reduce the value of the object — because the mark can fade.

1. The first half of the postcode indicates your town and district, such as: NT 42 9.
2. The last 2 letters pinpoint one strect or part of a street, such as: NT 42 9WA
3. Mark your valuables using the postcode followed by your house number such as NT 42 9WA7

Take pictures of all valuable items like jewellery and silverware and write down the serial numbers of your TV, video, hi-fi, home computer and camera equipment, to help the police identify them should they be recovered. If you have many valuable items, fit a safe.

Ask your local police station for postcode property stickers to display in the front and back windows of your house.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR
If you see anyone acting strangely in your neighborhood, call the police. There are now over 130,000 Neighborhood Watch Schemes in this country — why not join one? Anyone can start up a Watch — call your police for details.
IF YOU ARE BURGLED

A secure home will reduce the chance of you getting burgled. But, if you get home and notice is of a break-in:

●Don’t go in or call out — the intruder could still be inside Go to a neighbors’ house to call the police CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE

All police forces have offices trained in crime prevention-contact your local station for advice. Some forces can arrange surveys of your home or workplace and recommend security improvements. This is a popular service — if there’s a waiting list, you may be sent an information pack so that you can do your own survey.

1. The passage talks mainly about         .

A．how to beat the burglar

B．how to keep your valuables safe

C．how to live happily in a neighborhood

D．how to deal with police forces properly

2. Mary has marked her camera with “NJ 25 7PS 9” according to the suggestion given by the passage. What does the last number “9”refer to?

A．Part of a street name.	B．Her house number.
C．Postcode of acity.	D．Her car plate number.

3. Which of the following is a suggestion given in the passage?

A．Attach “postcode property” stickers to your valuables.

B．Keep silent if you sense your house has been broken into.

C．Tell your neighbor about anyone who behave strangely.

D．Design a survey to find out if your home needs improving.

3 . On March 16th I left the offices of The Economist to head home. That was the last day when all editorial staff assembled in our London office. And, at the time of writing, no date for a return to the office is in _______

It is remarkable how quickly we have adapted. The newspaper has been written, edited and produced from couches and kitchen tables. January and February seem like an ancient era — the BC (before coronavirus) to the new AD (after _______).

The shift may _______ great workplace transformations in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it has been a much more sudden transition than occurred with factories, enabled by advanced economies that revolve around services instead of manufacturing. Back in the 1970s, when Britain adopted a three-day week (to commit a miners strike), there were power cub and TV stations had to close down early. This pandemic has not turned the lights _______

Not only that, it has made remote work seem both normal and acceptable. In the past employees who stayed home had to overcome the _______ that they were bunking off (偷懒). Now those who insist on being at the office sound self-important.

Things are _______, of course. Video calls Jack the spontaneity of a normal meeting; no off-the-cuff (即兴的) remarks to lighten the mood. Distance makes it difficult to generate camaraderie. Creativity is probably harder to foster. Experts say new ideas come from weak links in networks — i.e., people you meet occasionally. Such “ _______ collisions” have become rarer.

Yet _________ offices will not disappear, it is hard to imagine that working life will return to BC ways. For more than a century workers have stuffed themselves onto crowded trains and buses to get into the office. For the past two months they have not had to commute. _______, for their part, have maintained expensive offices in city centers because they needed to gather staff in one place. The rent is only part of the cost; there are the cleaning, lighting, printers, catering and security ________.

Another aspect of the AD era may be the disappearance of the five-day working week. Even before the pandemic many workers became used to taking phone calls or answering emails at the weekend. In the AD era, the ________ between home and working life, a useful way of relieving stress, will be even harder to sustain.

In future employees may work and take breaks when they please, with the company video call the only ________. The downside, however, is that the rhythm of life has been disrupted and new ________ are needed. Looking further out, the AD era may bring other changes. Some may decide to live in small towns where housing costs are lower, since they have no need to commute. Men will have ________ excuses to skip cleaning or child care if they are not disappearing to the office. In a sense, this is a(n) ________ to normal: until the 19th century most people worked at or close to their homes. But social historians may still regard 2020 as the start of a new age.

1.

A．doubt

B．sight

C．mind

D．hope

2.

A．domestication

B．transition

C．isolation

D．pandemic

3.

A．affect

B．shape

C．arouse

D．rival

4.

A．on

B．off

C．over

D．down

5.

A．suspicion

B．difficulty

C．prejudice

D．disadvantage

6.

A．advancing

B．reversing

C．interfering

D．missing

7.

A．remote

B．intense

C．casual

D．novel

8.

A．now that

B．in case

C．even though

D．as long as

9.

A．Commuters

B．Legislators

C．Executives

D．Employers

10.

A．in demand

B．beyond reach

C．at issue

D．on top

11.

A．balance

B．barrier

C．connection

D．conflict

12.

A．fixture

B．engagement

C．priority

D．interaction

13.

A．perspectives

B．routines

C．regulations

D．equivalents

14.

A．better

B．harder

C．more

D．fewer

15.

A．access

B．progress

C．return

D．contrast

4 . Critical thinkers start by asking questions about whatever is in front of them. They consider ______. If this, then what? lf that, then how is the outcome different? They understand that every action has a ______, and they think about all possible outcomes of decisions before they make them. Asking questions helps this process.

Once you have asked every question you can come up with about a matter, ______ information that will help you answer those questions.____! Do some research. You can learn almost anything on the Internet, but it’s not the only place to do your research. _____ people. I’m a big fan of polling (民意调查).Ask the experts around you. Gather ____ and various opinions you can use to make your own determination. The wider the variety, the better.

You’ve got _____ information, and now it’s time to analyze it all with an open mind. This is the most _____ part, in my opinion. It can be pretty difficult to recognize the filters that were instilled (灌输) in us from our first families. We are products of our environments, of the ways in which we were treated as a child, of the role models we've had throughout our lives, of the opportunities we have said yes or no to, of the sum of all of our experiences.

Try to be as aware as possible of those ______ and biases (偏见), and turn them off. Question everything during this step. Are you being _______? Are you speculating? Assuming anything? This is the time to look at every thought as _____ as possible. Do you know it to be absolutely true? What are the facts? Have you considered the situation from every different point of view?

Critical thinkers are more interested in solutions than in placing ____ complaining, or gossiping. Once you’ve reached a conclusion through critical thinking, it’s time to communicate and ______ a solution if one is called for. This is the time for compassion (同情), empathy (同理心), diplomacy. Not everyone involved will have thought the situation through as ______ as you have. It’s your job to understand that, and to _____ solutions in a way that everyone can understand.

1.

A．cause and effect

B．ups and downs

C．gains and losses

D．back and forth

2.

A．frequency

B．consequence

C．reason

D．border

3.

A．analyze

B．stress

C．prioritize

D．seek

4.

A．Assume

B．Advocate

C．Investigate

D．Initiate

5.

A．Interact

B．Interview

C．Accuse

D．Spare

6.

A．proof

B．evidence

C．argument

D．information

7.

A．a pile of

B．a piece of

C．a flock of

D．a command of

8.

A．demanding

B．imposing

C．challenging

D．appealing

9.

A．bubbles

B．filters

C．prejudice

D．hatred

10.

A．objective

B．respective

C．informative

D．confident

11.

A．perfectly

B．curiously

C．subconsciously

D．purely

12.

A．emphasis

B．value

C．importance

D．blame

13.

A．pursue

B．suspect

C．implement

D．confirm

14.

A．carefully

B．critically

C．cautiously

D．crucially

15.

A．present

B．represent

C．review

D．comprehend

5 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. wonder   B. regular   C. doubt D. physically E. breathing F. wealth G. functioning   H. flexibility I. flow J. generally K. mood

Sometimes it’s the simplest daily practice that can have the biggest impact on your health, and yoga is proof of that. Although most forms of yoga aren’t considered to be as intense as other workout regimens, practising yoga on a daily basis has been scientifically demonstrated to help you mentally and     1    . Through breath work, meditation and holding poses that increase strength and     2    the body and mind gain benefits from yoga that positively impact your long-term health. It’s no     3    people have been practising yoga for over 5000 years, and that the number of Australians practising yoga doubled between 2008 and 2017 to over two million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Yoga teacher, Jenni Tarmar, shares, “we have a     4    of research demonstrating that a regular mindfulness practice - the act of paying attention to the sensation in the body, thoughts and emotions without judgment - can reduce stress and help us to feel calmer, more productive, and     5    more even-keeled in our daily lives.”

After evaluating yoga history and research, one 2014 review published in Frontiers in Human Neouroscience concluded that     6    yoga practice can help facilitate self-regulation. Another study of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 found that practising yoga positively benefited emotional regulation and self-esteem. “Movement releases beneficial neurotransmitters (神经转发器) in the brain, which helps us feel good as well as assist in     7    regulation,” says yoga instructor, Evan Lawrence. “One of the things that I like about yoga specifically is that there is, at the same time, a focus on physical movement and     8    .”

According to associate professor of psychiatry, Dr Gail Saltz, “practising yoga improves overall blood     9    to the body, including the brain, which is helpful for cognition and memory.”

One 2019 review published in Brain Plasticity concluded that behavioural interventions like yoga can help “mitigate age-related and neurodegenerative decline” due to the positive effects a daily practice has on different parts of the     10    brain, like the hippocampus (which plays a major role in learning and memory) and the prefrontal cortex (cognitive control functions).

6 . Directions: After reading the passage belows fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Though a student’s complaint that a question is too hard might be more a matter of effort than ability, it is true       1    some questions are just harder than others. The difficulty of a question or assignment comes down to the level of critical thinking it requires.

        Simple skills such as identifying a state capital are quick and easy to assess, while complex skills such as the construction of a hypothesis are more difficult     2    (quantify). Bloom’s taxonomy(认知分类)     3    be used to make the process of categorizing questions by difficulty easier and more straightforward.

Blooms taxonomy is a long-standing cognitive framework that categorizes critical reasoning in order to help educators set more well-    4    (define) learning goals. Benjamin Bloom,     5     American educational psychologist, developed this pyramid to define levels of critical thinking required by a task. Since its inception in the 1950s and revision in 2001, Bloom’s Taxonomy     6     (give)teachers a common vocabulary for naming specific skills required for proficiency.

There are six levels in the taxonomy that each     7    (represent) distinct levels of abstraction. The bottom level includes the most basic cognition and the     8    (high) level includes the most intellectual and complicated thinking. The idea behind this theory is that students cannot be successful in applying higher-order thinking to a topic     9    they have first mastered a ladder of rudimentary tasks.

The goal of education is to create thinkers and doers. Bloom’s taxonomy gives a path to follow from the beginning of a concept or skill to its end, or to the point       10    students can think creatively about a topic and solve problems for themselves. Learn to incorporate all levels of the framework into your teaching and lesson plans in order to scaffold(提供支架) the learning that your students are doing.

7 . Directions:Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

The Blue Light From Digital Device

More devices like the iPhone, iPad and Kindle produce a blue light that causes our sleep to be restless and disturbed, according to a new study.

The study was led by Dr Paul Gringras, a sleep disorder specialist at a children's hospital in London. Together with her colleagues, Gringras found that manufacturers have started making bigger, brighter, bluer screens in an effort to increase the efficiency of our screens during daytime.But, as an unwanted byproduct, this light is affecting our sleep and productivity.

The study said that this type of light is likely to cause the most disturbance to sleep, as it most effectively overpowers melatonin (褪黑素). a hormone①that reminds us to sleep every night. Besides, using our devices before bedtime could even affect our performance during the day, because exposure to this blue light changes our body's natural rhythms.

“The development of light-producing devices means that for many people, a 'book at bedtime'is now often an‘e-book’,” Gringras pointed out.“Reading a traditional paper book by the light of your bedside lamp doesn't affect your sleep, because bulbs produce a yellow-red light. In comparison, the same book read in electronic arrangement will provide a very different light signal with biological effects.”

The researchers called on all device manufacturers to adjust screen lighting for the sake of the users’sleep quality and overall health.“All hardware devices should have an automatic “bedtime mode”that shifts blue and green light production to yellow and red as well as reduces backlight/light intensity,” Gringras said.

“And, we hope that as technology improves, more and more people will realize that‘brighter’will not always be equal to‘better’,”the researchers concluded.

① hormone: a chemical in your body that stimulates certain organs of your body

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. mix       B. specialty          C. extraordinary            D. distinguish        E. private F. contribute       G. expose        H. shifted     I. challenges     J. respective     K. favored

Many of us grow up dreaming of becoming an astronaut. Ever wonder what it takes to be one?

Take NASA for example.

In order to catch NASA's eye, would-be astronauts must not only stand out in required skills and pass physical and psychological exams, but also find unique ways to    1     themselves from the harsh competition.

NASA's requirements for becoming an astronaut have changed over the years. Originally, it     2     candidates with a military flight background, with at least 1,000 hours spent in command of a jet aircraft. In 1978, however, NASA    3     its focus to a more varied group of astronauts:scientists and engineers with at least three years of experience in their     4     fields.

During the years of shuttle missions, everyone had a    5     : some would focus on robotics,others on spacewalks or maintenance. To work on the space station, astronauts must be able to perform all tasks, which encourage applicants to acquire different experiences. Jeanette Epps, an astronaut, studied aerospace engineering, worked at Ford Motor Company and took a job with the CIA before joining NASA. She says astronauts’ varied backgrounds     6     to their ability to adapt and learn anything quickly.

After ensuring that candidates are U. S. citizens and that they satisfy basic education and experience requirements, the selection committee enters a gray area.“We’re not really looking for one thing, just a good     7     of things,”said Duane Ross, the manager for astronaut candidate selection and training.

To the committee, candidates who take on    8     outside of the workplace demonstrate curiosity and energy. Many astronauts who don't have a military background do hold a(n)    9    piloting license. Some are enthusiastic mountain climbers, scuba divers or skiers. Others are musicians, dancers, or play competitive sports. Choosing to    10     themselves to different, extreme environments counts as another way to stand out from the crowd.

9 . A postcard is a lovely way to share your thoughts and greetings with someone while you’re traveling of simply want to reach out and connect. Below is a detailed set of instructions outlining the process of composing a postcard:

(1) Select a postcard: Choose a postcard that represents the place you’re visiting or one that has a design that agrees with your message.

(2) Address the recipient: Start by writing the recipient’s name on the left side of the postcard. You can include their full name or just their first name, depending on your relationship with them.

(3) Add an opening greeting: Begin the message with a friendly greeting, such as “Dear”, “Hi”, or “Hello”. Use the recipient’s name if you have a close relationship with them.

(4) Write a concise message: Keep your message brief and focus on the highlights of your trip or the purpose of your communication. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Describe the sights and experiences: Share a few interesting details about the places you’ve visited, the activities you’ve enjoyed, or any unique experiences you’ve had.

Express your thoughts and feelings: Share your impressions, emotions, or reflections about the location, the people you’ve met, or the overall atmosphere.

Share a funny or memorable events: If something amusing or noteworthy happened during your trip, include it to make the postcard more engaging.

Extend warm wishes: Convey your best wishes or send greetings for a specific occasion like a birthday or holiday. Show the recipient that you’re thinking of them.

(5) Sign off: End your postcard with a closing remark and your name. You can use phrases like “Best regards”, “Warm wishes”, or “Thinking of you”. Remember to sign your name below the closing.

(6) Optional: Add a postscript (P. S.): If you have any additional thoughts, trivia, or recommendations, you can include a P. S. below your signature. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your postcard.

Remember, the charm of a postcard lies in its simplicity and personal touch. Enjoy the process of writing and sharing your message, and let the recipient know they are in your thoughts wherever you may be.

1. The passage is mainly intended to ______.

A．tell readers how to write a postcard

B．comment on the value of postcards

C．give an example of a charming postcard

D．encourage readers to compose more postcards

2. According to the writer, what should be included in an attractive postcard?

A．A postscript.

B．A future plan.

C．What you like most about the trip.

D．What you regret in the trip.

3. According to the writer, which of the following is TRUE of a postcard?

A．It is recommended to sign off a postcard with your initials.

B．It should include the recipient’s full name in the opening greeting.

C．It is encouraged to choose a design that is in line with the message.

D．Adding a postscript is considered compulsory to provide additional details.

10 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

New Drug Slows Alzheimer, But Not a Cure

What a good piece of news! Last week, United States health officials finally     1     (approve) a new Alzheimer drug after enormous clinical trials. The drug, called Leqembi, is the first to slow the decline in memory by several months.

The Alzheimer’s Association describes Alzheimer     2     a brain disease that causes a decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease is forgetting recently     3     (learn) information or dates and events. People with the disease have difficulty doing     4     they did before. Some may struggle with joining or following a discussion.

The newly approved Leqembi is a long-needed new treatment for the disease. But Dr. Joy Snider,     5     is a brain doctor at Washington University in St. Louis, warns that the drug isn’t a cure. It doesn’t stop people     6     (get) worse, but it does measurably slow the progression of the disease. She added. “That might mean someone     7     have an extra six months to a year of being able to drive.”

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug through a speedier-than-usual process, which permits drugs     8     (launch) based on early results. The drug is only for early-stage patients and requires an injection by healthcare workers every two weeks. It is not yet clear     9     the drug can help people with the disease. There are also concerns about its safety. “Still, it’s a landmark.” said Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging. “It’s not enough, but it’s     10     (encourage) that there’s something we can do,” he added.