1 . 阅读表达
BEIJING－With trains rumbling down new tracks, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia has just been unlocked, poised to transform itself into a hub connecting the fast-growing region to markets as far away as in Europe.
Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Laos Railway has been completed and put into operation, and the Lao people have finally realized their railway dream, said Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos’ president.
The importance of transportation cannot be overemphasized. It is the artery of a nation, and of the globalized world. As a popular Chinese saying goes, “Roads lead to riches.”
The World Bank has estimated that the China-Laos Railway could significantly reduce land transport prices by 40 to 50 percent between Vientiane and Kunming, and by 32 percent between Kunming and the Port of Laem Chabang in Thailand. As the railway connects Laos to the vast BRI network, including the China-Europe Railway Express, aggregate (总计的) income in the country could be increased by up to 21 percent over the long term.
Across the world, China’s development and cooperation with other countries have changed the life trajectory (发展轨迹) of numerous people. In Africa, China helped Kenya build the country’s first railway since its independence, which links its two largest cities－Nairobi and Mombasa－and allows people to work in satellite cities and towns and join their families within hours.
Mohammad Nauman, a young Pakistani man, made a career decision seven years ago when China and Pakistan decided to build Pakistan’s first metro system. He became a technician at the metro company. In 2020, the line was opened to traffic.
“It was very amazing for me that this whole connectivity was coming to my country,” Nauman said.
1. Why is the China-Laos railway important to the Lao people?| A．It helps realize their dream. |
| B．It helps reduce land transport cost. |
| C．It helps connect Laos and other countries. |
| D．It helps increase Lao yearly income. |
| A．Laos | B．Thailand | C．Kenya | D．Eurasia |
| A．Pakistani lives have been changed by metro systems built by China. |
| B．China helped Pakistanis realize the dream of being connected across the country. |
| C．Nauman wanted to thank China for offering him a job as a technician. |
| D．Nauman decided on his career with the first metro system to be built in his country. |
“What shall I do when the whole connectivity becomes a reality?” Nauman thought.
WORKING OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
As an adult, one of the first questions you are asked when meeting someone new is, “What do you do?” This is because your career is a very important part of who you are. The career you have defines your life, and so taking time to think about it is an essential exercise for young people.
The best time to start thinking about possible careers is while you are still at school, before you make any choices about your further education. This, however, is not always easy. Some people know what they want to do from a young age, but many others just have a few ideas bouncing around in their heads.
One of the most effective ways to get some insight on a possible career path is to complete a “career aptitude test”. The results of the test will tell you about your strengths and interests, and some tests also suggest careers that you may be suited to. Having this information will provide you with a better chance of finding a job you like. There are many free tests online, so give one a try. Getting a head start in considering your future career may help you for the rest of your life. You don’t want to look back in years to come and say, “I wish I had thought more about what I really wanted to do.”
There are many different kinds of career aptitude tests. Some ask questions about your personal interests and attitudes. Others focus more on asking you to rate different kinds of work scenarios， like working as a librarian or a lawyer. Of course, while completing these sorts of tests, it is very important to be honest—and don’t worry—there are no right or wrong answers.
| Career Aptitude Test example Page 1 of 10 | |
 How do you feel about the work tasks below? | |
1 | ○○○○○Assemble a chest of drawers |
2 | ○○○○○Drive an ambulance |
3 | ○○○○○Help develop a cure for breast cancer |
4 | ○○○○○Analyse the elements hydrogen and radium |
5 | ○○○○○Design a new range of wrist accessories |
6 | ○○○○○Design clothes for brides and bridegrooms |
7 | ○○○○○Teach children geometry |
8 | ○○○○○Help and advise people in serious debt |
9 | ○○○○○Manage a hair and nail shop |
10 | ○○○○○Provide investment advice |
11 | ○○○○○Check and edit education materials |
12 | ○○○○○Categorise employee profiles |
One popular test asks the participants to grade their preferences for a variety of work tasks. Their answers are then analysed and divided up between six different types of work personalities.The participant is then given a chart showing their score for each type of work personality. The top three scores are used to make a code that indicates the participant’s overall work personality. This code is then used to generate a list of career suggestions.
The career suggestions are also based on your education and experience level, but you can look at higherlevel careers as well, which is very useful for high school students. For example，you could look at the basic careers to see what work you might like now，and then look at the more advanced careers so you know what you may like to aim for in the future. This is a great tool to help plan your career and let you know what targets you need to reach to get there.
In conclusion, career aptitude tests are clearly a very useful tool. However, it is important to remember that they are only meant for guidance.The secret to a good career is finding something that you are passionate about. So try a few tests online and start thinking about your future career right now!
1. What’s the main idea of this text?| A．The answer to the question what you do. |
| B．Career aptitude tests, a useful tool for career suggestions. |
| C．An example of career aptitude tests. |
| D．The best time to start considering possible careers. |
| A. Conclusion B. Problem C. Solution |
Part 2(Paras.3－6)
Part 3(Para.7)
3. Why are you asked a question about your work by a new person?
| A．Because it is a very important question. |
| B．Because he wants to do the same work as yours. |
| C．Because your job is part of your life. |
| D．Because he is interested in your work. |
| A．After you graduate from the college. |
| B．When you are married. |
| C．When you are a college student. |
| D．When you are at school. |
| A．The questions are about your personal interests and attitudes. |
| B．They focus on your work scenarios. |
| C．They will ask questions about being a librarian or a lawyer. |
| D．You are supposed to be honest about your answers. |
| A．College graduates. |
| B．Job hunters. |
| C．Students with excellent grades. |
| D．High school students. |
It is common that an adult
One of the most
In
(1)The career you have defines your life，and so taking time to think about it is an essential exercise for young people.
(2)You don’t want to look back in years to come and say，“I wish I had thought more about what I really wanted to do.”
(3)The secret to a good career is finding something that you are passionate about.
Like Father, Like Son
(The living room. Friday night. A table and two chairs at front centre. Grandfather and Father, seated at the table, are playing chess.)
Grandfather：And...I win!
(Son enters room.)
Father：Not again! Oh look, here comes my boy. How are you, son?
Son：(nervously approaching the table) Erm... Dad, can we talk?
Father：Sure! You know you can always turn to your dad for a chat.
Son：OK. Here it is. I’ve decided not to go to university. I want to focus on my band and have a career in music when I leave school.
Father：(raising his voice in surprise) You can’t be serious! What about your future career as a lawyer?!
Son：I knew you’d say that. You just assume I want to be a lawyer, but that’s only because you are a lawyer.
Father：What’s wrong with being a lawyer? Lawyers help people and are respected by others.
Son：Yes, but I’m not interested in law. I want to work in a studio, not a court.
Grandfather：(looking at Father) Calm down. OK?
Father：(ignoring Grandfather’s words) Stop daydreaming ! Playing in a band is not a job.
Son：Of course it is! The music industry is developing fast now. Making music is a job.
Grandfather：(stepping between Father and Son and raising his voice) Hey! I told you to calm down, both of you!
Father：But I told him to study something useful at university!
Grandfather：(laughing) Easy, son! I remember when you were his age, you said that you wanted to be a professional football player.
Father：And you wanted me to be an engineer!
Grandfather：I just wanted you to be happy, and an engineer—a happy engineer.
Father：But in the end, you just advised me to think carefully.
Grandfather：Yes, and you have found the career that suits your talents. I’m so proud of you. Your son is proud of you, too.
Son：Of course I am, but I have different talents.
Grandfather：(turning to Son) Why don’t you also take my advice and think carefully before jumping in with both feet?
Son：Well, I could try...
Grandfather：If you go to university and play music at the same time, you will have two options for your future. And I’m sure playing in a band will help you make lots of new friends at university.
Father：Yes, lots of new lawyer friends!
Son：(with a sigh) Dad...
(Curtain)
1. What does the conversation mainly talk about?
| A．The relationship between family members. |
| B．Grandpa’s suggestion on the future job. |
| C．The disagreement between Father and Son in choosing a future job. |
| D．The future development of the boy’s music band. |
| A．Because he shows interest in it. |
| B．Because he doesn’t want to go to university. |
| C．Because he wants to have a good income. |
| D．Because his grandfather wants him to do so. |
| A．The father isn’t serious. |
| B．The son isn’t serious. |
| C．The father doesn’t understand the son’s words. |
| D．The father is surprised at his son’s words. |
| A．Give up. | B．Begin something. |
| C．Act in a hurry. | D．Do a kind of sport. |
| A．The son does not take his grandfather’s advice. |
| B．The son is disappointed at his father’s words. |
| C．The son and his father reach an agreement. |
| D．The father doesn’t agree with the grandfather. |
①
②
③
④
A. It won’t be enough to have only a general understanding of our area of work but we should keep learning until we become specialists.
B. There will be new essential 21st century skills that we will have to have.
C. And given that people will not stay in the same career for long, we can expect that we will have to go back to education and training at some stage to be qualified to work in another field.
D. For example, a university degree is still useful, but technology developments mean that many skills we have now are unlikely to remain relevant in the future.
E. Earning a decent salary is one thing, but if we really want to succeed in our careers we have to be innovators, thinking of new and exciting ways to do things.
