1 . Intelligence is not enough to create extraordinary work. The most creative people in history you admire approached problems differently. IQ alone cannot explain creative spark. “Creativity isn’t a talent. It’s a way of operating,” says John Cleese. It’s a central source of meaning in our lives. Creative geniuses are able to bring seemingly contradictor y element s together in unusual and unexpected ways. While there’s no “typical” creative type, Einstein, Picasso and Mozart shared common traits.
You can be insanely talented but if you can’t consistently hone your craft (打磨技能), you can’t be great. The ability to stick with and pursue anything that means a lot to you over a long period of time is an important indicator (指标) of achieving anything worthwhile in life.
Einstein had extremely high intelligence but he genuinely loved his pursuit of Relativity. He committed a greater percentage of his productive years pursuing the Theory of Relativity. And it meant everything to him. Creative people have a strong desire to work hard and long on what they love doing.
The willingness to take risks, to break with the safety of tradition, and step outside the comfort zone is necessary for creativity. History’s creative geniuses risked more to get results. Unless you aim for comfort and stagnation (停滞), taking risks is imperative to every creative process. They valued the process of their work as much as the destination. They enjoyed the process as much as the ultimate outcome. They viewed obstacles as opportunities to explore and make progress.
Picasso was once asked if he knew what a painting was going to look like when he started it. He answered, “No, of course not. If I knew, I wouldn’t bother doing it.”
Curiosity is fundamental to your success. Einstein, Picasso and Mozart embraced curiosity, were open to new ideas, and persistent despite career setbacks.
Mozart once wrote to a friend about his commitment to music and said, “People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.”
1. What can we know about creativity and intelligence?| A．Intelligence is the decisive factor of success. |
| B．Creativity has nothing to do with intelligence. |
| C．There is more to creativity than just intelligence. |
| D．Creativity belongs to people with great intelligence. |
| A．perseverance is a better predictor for success |
| B．talent is necessary in one’s achievements |
| C．high competence is key to high performance |
| D．innovation results from strong motivation |
| A．good at career planning | B．sensitive to public criticism |
| C．satisfied with the present life | D．brave to embrace the unknown |
| A．difficult | B．important | C．controversial | D．superficial |
| A．Einstein’s Pursuit of the Theory of Relativity |
| B．The Creative Habits of Einstein, Picasso and Mozart |
| C．Dedication of an Unusual Degree to Achieve Greatness |
| D．The Great Contribution Made by Einstein, Picasso and Mozart |
2 . When Milla Bizzot to finished her first 24-hour obstacle race, she went shoulder to shoulder with experienced competitors, ran 36 miles and completed hundreds of obstacles, all at the age of 9.“There are some double takes on the course, but she has been an inspiration to people who see her out there competing like that,” said Christian Bizzotto, Milla’s father and coach, who was proud of her. Milla is very fit for her age, and she proved it in completing the BattleFrog Xtreme 24-hour race in Miami.
Milla also used the event to inspire other kids to be active, and show how competing in obstacle racing has helped her deal with being bullied at school. “We wanted to make her feel more empowered and make her feel that she wasn’t weak, and that changed her whole mindset,” her father said.
In preparing for the 24-hour race, Milla trained 20 hours a week for 90 days, doing exercise in the gym for 4 hours every day after school.
“The reactions are 90 percent good, but some are totally negative,” Christian said. “I’ve had people message me on Facebook saying I’m a child abuser, and that no 9-year-old should be doing a 24-hour race. But her own doctors were there supporting her and cheering her on. I want her to be a kid, and this is just something she really wants to do.”
CrossFit and obstacle course racing have also helped Christian turn around his life. He got injured in a motorcycle accident. After he was finally able to get around without using a walker, he began his recovery by going for walks on the beach with Milla, and then began running every day.
Next, he joined a CrossFit gym and enjoyed it so much that he opened his own gym to train others for events like CrossFit, BattleFrog and Spartan races. “I just wanted to create a hero that Milla could look up to,” he said.
Next up for Milla is an invitation-only “Athletes Race”. Competitors also have to raise $5,000 for charity.
1. Christian Bizzotto, Milla’s father and coach, ______.| A．was very strict with Milla |
| B．was satisfied with what Milla did |
| C．lost his legs in a motorcycle accident |
| D．threw his walker with the help of CrossFit |
| A．She was always bullied by her schoolmates. |
| B．She began to run because she was physically weak. |
| C．Her father wanted her to get benefit from the obstacle race. |
| D．She became more confident after the 24-hour obstacle race. |
| A．had two days’ rest every week |
| B．was always running with her father |
| C．spent over 4 hours every day of a week |
| D．took a hit because her father was injured |
| A．told us that Milla had a hard childhood |
| B．showed that he was a real abuser |
| C．encouraged Milla to challenge more difficult runs |
| D．were mixed but what Milla did was supported by her doctors |
| A．make money to open a gym |
| B．set a good example to Milla |
| C．make money to raise his family |
| D．get recovered as soon as possible |
3 . Teenagers are perhaps those who are most susceptible (易受影响的) to peer pressure. In simple terms, peer pressure is what drives you to do something, whether it is negative or positive, in order to feel liked and respected by your peers.
We’re constantly warned against peer pressure, given its negative connotation (含义). It’s often the main cause that makes you give in when someone tries to convince you to skip school with them, or to try and get away with cheating, stealing, etc.
On the other hand, however, peer pressure has the capacity to have a positive influence over young lives. We go to volunteering events when our friends do. We study more when we hear that our friends got high marks on the last exam. We go to the gym because we see our friends getting more fit and want to become more physically attractive or healthy ourselves.
So how do we cultivate a culture of positive peer pressure? The examples listed above are bonded together by a pair of common themes: friendly competitiveness and egalitarianism (平等主义).
As children we were motivated by our teachers to obtain as many stars for our good behavior as we could possibly get. This worked because as humans, we love to have a feeling of accomplishment, especially when competing against those with relatively equal abilities and capacities. We’re negatively reinforced to work harder when we’re falling behind because we want to keep up and not get left behind. As long as the competition doesn’t grow to be too aggressively fierce, and as long as the playing field between competitors is relatively equal, this kind of competition can promote and improve the frequency of good behavior. Even if we’re not the winner, we still want to be on the same level as most so as not to feel left out.
In my opinion, one of the most impressive things in my high school was the positive peer pressure we experienced against drunk driving. People planned out who the designated driver would be before a party and saw him or her as someone to be respected. Likewise, if someone planned on drinking without having someone that was sober (清醒的) who could drive them home, the host would sometimes let that person drive to the party and sleep over with their car parked in the driveway.
Above all else, what most adolescents want, and frankly crave, is acceptance. Since the definition of what is “cool” and what is not is malleable (有延展性的) and within our control, we can create a culture of positive peer pressure that promotes values that are in our own best interests, and that starts with how each of us acts individually.
1. Why is it easy for teenagers to be subject to peer pressure?| A．Because they are more sensitive than adults. |
| B．Because they are very respectful in this period. |
| C．Because they are unable to tell right from wrong. |
| D．Because they are eager to gain peer recognition. |
| A．To support the author’s opinion. |
| B．To give a summary of the passage. |
| C．To introduce the topic of the argument. |
| D．To make the author’s argument objective. |
| A．Encouraging teens to compete aggressively with their peers. |
| B．Motivating teens to study harder when their friends excel academically. |
| C．Reinforcing negative behavior in order to make teens keep up with peers. |
| D．Creating a feeling of accomplishment when engaging in risky activities. |
| A．Students pressuring others to skip school and engage in risky behaviors. |
| B．Planning for a designated driver before parties to prevent drunk driving. |
| C．Allowing students to drive home after drinking without a sober driver. |
| D．Encouraging competition between friends to see who can drink the most. |
| A．The Comparison between Positive and Negative Peer Pressure |
| B．The Ways to Resist Negative Peer Pressure |
| C．The Power of Positive Peer Pressure |
| D．The lmpact of Competitive Pcer Pressure |
1. 学习中国古诗词的意义；
2. 学习中国古诗词的建议；
3. 表达愿望和祝福。
注意:1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Hello, everyone!
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Thank you.
5 . National Parks: Made for You and Me
·While the term “national park” is associated with images of the American West, there are national park units in every. U. S. state and territory. Together they welcome about 300 million visitors each year and span some 85 million acres, almost 55 million of which are in Alaska.
·There are more than 400 sites in the National Park System, though that includes far more than what we traditionally think of as “parks”, such as parkways and rivers, Strictly speaking, there are 63 national parks (California has the most, with nine), but there are also national historic parks, national military parks, and other designations. A few are thoroughly unique. Among them: the White House.
·The National Park Service (NPS) oversees all 400+ of these sites. But rules about what you can and cannot do in national parks differ from site to site. Activities that are prohibited at national parks, such as hunting and fishing, are allowed on some national preserves. Many national parks allow the scattering of ashes (the Grand Canyon is a notable exception); though, like Hitchcock, you need to obtain NPS permission. The same goes for couples who wish to marry inside a national park.
·Additions to the National Park System generally require acts of Congress, but the president can name new national monuments. Of the 63 national parks, only one is named after a president: Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.
·It was another president who created the NPS in 1916; Woodrow Wilson Parks that predate (早于) the NPS include Yosemite in California and Mount Rainier in Washington. But Yellowstone, which turned 150 this year, was the world’s first national park. Today, more than 100 countries have national parks and preserves. The largest by area is in Greenland, though 97 percent of the Galapagos Islands is a national park.
1. Which state has the widest span of national parks in the USA?| A．California. | B．Alaska. | C．Washington. | D．North Dakota |
| A．Rules about what you can and can’t do in different national parks vary. |
| B．All national parks prohibit hunting and fishing. |
| C．National parks don’t allow the scattering of ashes. |
| D．Couples can marry inside a national park. |
| A．after the approval of local residents |
| B．after the president names them |
| C．after the relevant acts of Congress are passed |
| D．after these parks meet some specific criteria |
| A．Yellowstone. | B．The White House. | C．The Grand Canyon. | D．Greenland. |
| A．An instruction book. | B．A university newspaper. | C．A magazine. | D．A student guide. |
In every gym class I've taken, I felt like the odd one out. Opening the door, I hesitantly asked, “Is this where the HIIT class is?” The instructor yelled, “Grab a dumbbell and yoga mat. We're late for warm-up!” Breathing heavily on the mat, I wasn't sure if I'd make it through the hour.
Glancing around the room, I seemed to be the only one struggling. Everyone else, in their tightly fitted gym wear and not a sign of sweat to be seen, looked as if they belonged. I, on the other hand, with my messy hair and oversized clothes, wondered why I had ever bothered coming.
Earlier that year, I had decided to give fitness a real shot. All my life, exercise had been a foreign concept and in school, gym class was a place of guaranteed embarrassment and humiliation.
I nervously showed up to my university gym for spin class (动感单车课程) on a Sunday morning. I had considered canceling multiple times, but I told myself that showing up was all that mattered.
The instructor was incredibly kind. Within minutes of seeing my weak form, he knew I was new to the class. He walked us through all the various positions on the bike multiple times.
The first time I tried to stand on the bike pedals, I felt my legs shake and immediately sat down. But with each class, my comfort on the bike grew and I became less focused on how I looked and more focused on looking inward. Whether I needed to think about something bugging me, dream about the future or just mindlessly pedal, spin class became my hour a week just for me.
The more I spun, the more I realized how powerful my body was. For what felt like the first time, I was proud of my body's capabilities.
After nine months of spinning, I wanted to challenge myself again. And that's how I found myself in the high-intensity class. If spin class got me used to moving my body, then HIIT class taught me that I have to continuously work to build my fitness and tackle my insecurities.
In all, what truly matters is showing up, not what you wear or your fitness abilities. Because once you show up, the rest gets easier, one sweaty adventure at a time.
1. Why did the author feel like the odd one out in the gym class?(no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined part mean in paragraph 3?(no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author realize about her body after attending spin class for nine months?(no more than 6 words)
4. Why did the author decide to challenge herself by attending a high-intensity class? (no more than 12 words)
5. What message does the author convey in the text? How does it inspire you?(no more than 25 words)
7 . Just how bad of a mother am I, I silently wondered, as I watched my 13-year-old son deep in conversation with Siri. Gus has autism (自闭症), and Siri, Apple's “intelligent personal assistant” on the iPhone, is currently his BFF(Best Friend Forever). Obsessed with weather formations, Gus had spent the past hour exploring the difference between isolated and scaltered thunderstorms—an hour during which, thank God, I didn't have to discuss with him myself. After a while I heard this:
Gus:“You're a really nice computer.”
Siri:“It's nice to be appreciated.”
Gus:“You're always asking if you can help me.Is there anything you want?” Siri: “Thank you, but I have very few wants.”
Gus: “OK. Well, good night!”
Siri: “See you later!”
That is Siri. She does not let my communicatively impaired son get away with anything. When Gus discovered there was someone who would not only find information for him related to his various obsessions but would also be willing to tirelessly discuss these subjects, he was hooked.
She is also wonderful for someone who does not pick up on social cues: Siri's responses are not entirely predictable, but they are predictably kind—even when Gus is rude. I heard him talking to Siri about music, and Siri offered some suggestions. “I don't like that kind of music.” Gus snapped(厉声说). Siri replied, “You're certainly entitled to your opinion.” Siri's politeness reminded Gus what he owed Siri. “Thank you for that music, though.” Gus said.
My son's practice conversations with Siri are starting to translate into increased facility with actual humans. Yesterday I had the longest ever conversation with him. Admittedly, it was about different species of turtles which might not have been my choice of topic, but it was back and forth, and followed a logic. For most of my son's 13 years of existence, this has not been the case.
Indeed, many of us wanted an imaginary friend when we were young, and now we can all have one not entirely imaginary anytime we wish to. In a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story.
The developers of intelligent assistants recognize their potential usefulness for those with speech and communication problems, and some are currently pondering new ways in which the assistants can help. “For example, the assistant would be able to track eye movements and help the autistic learn to look you in the eye while talking." said William Mark, vice president of the company from whom Apple purchased the technology behind Siri. “See, that's the wonderful thing about technology. Getting results requires a lot of repetition. Machines are very, very patient."
1. What did the author feel when she watched her son having a deep conversation with Siri about thunderstorms?| A．Concerned but helpless. | B．Excited and overjoyed. |
| C．Guilty but relieved | D．Hopeless and surprised. |
| A．He had always dreamed of having an imaginary friend. |
| B．He shows no interest in anything that is not related to weather. |
| C．He has trouble communicating with others because of his illness. |
| D．He has been friends with Siri since he was diagnosed with autism. |
| A．setting a fixed bedtime routine |
| B．exploring his special interests |
| C．shaping his logic while talking |
| D．improving his interaction with people |
| A．Siri makes people feel much lonely in modern society. |
| B．Siri sometimes provides better assistance than people. |
| C．Siri has a better academic performance than the author. |
| D．Siri is likely to be an effective cure for her son's autism. |
| A．Intelligent assistants will be more widely employed in the future. |
| B．The use of intelligent assistants will likely be limited to autistic people. |
| C．Machines are more skilled and patient at communication than humans. |
| D．William Mark was critical of the future development of intelligent assistants. |
8 . How many times have you found yourself in conversations with friends, family members or loved ones and discovered that you had completely tuned out to what they were saying? How much of our attention are we truly giving to the people who are supposed to be important to us?
According to research cited by Wright State University, while most people believe they are good listeners who don’t need to improve their listening skills, the average person only listens at about 25 percent efficiency.
So why aren’t we better listeners? As a society, we may be growing more narcissistic (自我陶醉的). A 2007 study found a rise in self-centeredness and narcissism among college students. If we, as a culture, are becoming more self-centered, how can we, as individuals, work to become more caring and compassionate communicators?
We can begin by changing our attitudes toward conversations. As Stephen R. Covey wrote in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand but to reply.” A dialogue is an opportunity to learn, to see things from a new perspective, to open your eyes to new information and possibilities. Yet, too often we engage in conversation as if it’s a debate. We speak to hear our own voices — our own pre-existing opinions. In doing so, we tend to space out when spoken to. We wait, perhaps even patiently or politely, for the other person to finish, so we can say something we feel is of value.
Playwright Wilson Mizner said, “A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while, he knows something.” Listening doesn’t just expand our knowledge on an intellectual level; it enables us to have a more personal, in-depth understanding of our closest friends. Relationships are truly enriched by an equal back-and-forth exchange in communication. When these dynamics become more one-sided, we tend to lose interest and create distance in our friendships, with less trust established, less honesty exchanged.
Thankfully, we can all improve our listening skills. Maybe we aren’t as good a listener as we believe. Do we tend to focus too much on ourselves — both in positive and negative ways? Do we get distracted by an inner coach, rather than living in the moment and really engaging in what’s being said? As we learn to quiet that inner voice in our minds, we can start to open ourselves up to others, becoming better listeners, thinkers, lovers and friends.
1. What is the author’s purpose in showing the social phenomena in Paragraph 1?| A．To show most people are confident about their listening skills. |
| B．To express his concerns about people’s lack of attention when talking. |
| C．To introduce the fact that people have low efficiency of listening in life. |
| D．To provide some information about how people behave in conversation. |
| A．To prove college students have become more self-cenfered and narcissistic over time. |
| B．To show the belief in people’s listening skills is outdated and needs to be updated. |
| C．To provide an example of how society’s narcissism affects personal relationships. |
| D．To support the argument that society is becoming more self-centered and narcissistic. |
| A．People should listen to learn and see things from a new perspective. |
| B．A good listener is popular but does not necessarily know everything. |
| C．Most people listen with the intention to understand, not to reply. |
| D．We should speak to hear our own voices and pre-existing opinions. |
| A．Become focused. | B．Feel confused. |
| C．Be absent-minded. | D．Remain anxious. |
| A．The Decline of Listening in Modern Society |
| B．Improving Listening Skills for Better Relationships |
| C．The Impact of Narcissism on Social Communication |
| D．Why We Should Listen More and Speak Less |
9 . There are top four places to visit in the Monterey Peninsula, California, where there are so many activities and beautiful lookout spots.
Pebble BeachThis scenic place offers many activities, hotels, and restaurants. At Pebble Beach, one can go fishing, swimming, diving, surfing, picnicking, boating, and on the nature trails there’s bicycling and hiking. It is a picture that is perfect with a white sand beach and beautiful view of the ocean.
Monterey Bay AquariumRegarded as the number one aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium has all kinds of interesting fish to see. Not only do they have strange fish but also other sea creatures too. They have very creative ways of displaying the fish; sharks are kept in a large glass looking tank. Admission (入场费) for adults is $ 34.95, children (13-17) $ 31.95, and children under 12 is $ 21.95．
The Butterfly SanctuaryEvery year in October, the Monarch butterfly migrates to Monterey County to stay for the winter. This is actually called overwintering, and at this sanctuary (庇护所) these large numbers of butterflies gather together on the tree branches to keep warm. There are tens of thousands of them flying up and down; it’d be a sight worth seeing.
Andrew Molera State ParkBeing the largest state park in the area, Andrew Molera State Park offers many activities and natural views. The Big Sur, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel, is within this park and is very beautiful. The park also offers camping, surfing, and hiking.
If you ever had the chance to go to Monterey County, California these are some of the places you’d like to see. Check them out for yourself at their websites below and see if they’ll be added to your travel wish list!
1. Visitors would like to go to Pebble Beach because ______.| A．they can see shark there | B．it is beautiful and has a lot of activities |
| C．it can offer excellent staying conditions | D．it has a lot of attractions and restaurants |
| A．34.95 dollars | B．66.90 dollars | C．91.85 dollar | D．101.85 dollars |
| A．Pebble Beach | B．Monterey Bay Aquarium |
| C．The Butterfly Sanctuary | D．Andrew Molera State Park |
| A．California. | B．The Big Sur. |
| C．Monterey County. | D．The Monterey Peninsula. |
| A．Monterey Bay Aquarium is considered the best in the U. S. |
| B．The Monarch butterfly migrates to Monterey Country in spring. |
| C．Andrew Molera State Park is the largest state park in the U. S. |
| D．In the Aquarium sharks are kept in a very large pool. |
10 . Step back in time to experience the golden age of railroading. North America’s railroad museums and tourist lines provide affordable fun for the whole family! Plan your complete vacation with visits to these leading attractions. For information on advertising in this section, call Tom Vorel at 630-248-2299.
CALIFORNIA Campo PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM |
750 Depot Street
Located 60 minutes east of San Diego Ride on the San Diego Arizona Railway: the last trans-con link, completed in 1919 and built by sugar-magnate (巨头), John D. Spreckels.
Trains depart from the historic 1917 Campo Depot every Saturday and Sunday. Check our website for train’ schedules and tickets.
www. psrm.org 619-465-7776
COLORADO Golden COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM |
17155 W. 44th Avene
There is something amazing about trains. The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. Experience it again with a visitor to the Colorado Railroad Museum, one of the top 10 railroad museums in the United States with one of the largest collections of narrow-gauge (轨距) equipment. The 15-acre rail yard also features a roundhouse restoration facility and renowned library. Train rides throughout the year. Group rates-and-programs available.
ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org 800-365-6263
PENNSYLVANIA Marysville BRIDGEVIEW BED BREAKFAST |
810 S. Main St.
Lately, train watching around The Bridgeview B&B has been extremely exciting with motive power from BNSF. UP, KCS, CP, CN, CSX and Ferromex often leading, plus add NS units into the mix. and you have some amazing lashup (应急设备) possibilities! Trains entering or exiting Enola Yard pass right by our front porch. From the spacious decks and sitting room, you can watch the Susquehanna River, Blue Mountains and train action on Rockville Bridge! Plus, visit Hershey, Gettysburg, and PA Dutch Country! Comfortable rooms all with private baths, A/C, Wifi, and a tasty breakfast are included with your stay. Take a virtual tour on our website and check us out on Facebook for daily updates, pictures and guest comments.
www. bridgeviewbnb.com 717-957-2438
WISCONSIN Trego WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD |
N6639 Dilly Lake Road
America’s Only Moving
BED& BREAKFAST DINNER TRAIN
The train departs Tuesday through Saturday evening at 5:30 pm year round. The train features a choice of a queen bed in our sleeper deluxe suites or a full size bed in our 1914 Pullman Private Car. Enjoy cocktails in the lounge and then move to the diner for a scrumptious 4-course chef prepared meal from our onboard kitchen. When the train returns to the station view the starlit sky while trading railroad tales with other passengers around our gas fire on the patio. Wake up to a hot breakfast buffet in the diner. See the world famous Mark Twain Zephyr at Trego Depot!
www. spoonertrainride.com 715-635-3200
1. This passage is intended for ________.| A．advertisers looking to promote vacation packages |
| B．families seeking to learn about US railroad history |
| C．tourists fascinated by trains or railroads in the US |
| D．travelers seeking accommodations along railroads |
| A．a railroad over 100 years old is still in use at present |
| B．the four attractions provide fantastic train ride services |
| C．the B&Bs are convenient for many railroad museums |
| D．Bridgeview B&B offers packaged tours of the country |
| A．Either Saturday or Sunday. | B．Every Saturday and Sunday. |
| C．On weekdays. | D．On holidays. |
| A．It offers discounted services for groups. |
| B．It has a roundhouse restoration facility and a renowned library. |
| C．It has a large collection of narrow-gauge equipment. |
| D．It is the only moving dinner train in America. |
| A．The train features a choice of a queen bed. |
| B．The train departs every day at 5:30 pm. |
| C．It is the oldest railroad in the United States. |
| D．It only operates on weekends. |
