1 . “Blame My Brain” by Nicola Morgan, reviewed by Rosalie Warren
As someone who constantly blames my brain for all sorts of things (not my fault — my brain did it!), I was
The subtitle is “The amazing teenage brain revealed” and amazing is, I soon
There are also brain-based explanations of why teenagers need so much sleep, why they don’t tidy their rooms, why they come
Nicola Morgan is not a neurologist or a
There’s plenty of humour and a good few well-deserved digs at the stupidity of parents and other well-meaning but misguided adults, which teenagers will
The illustrations by Andy Baker are great, too. And oh yes — there’s some interesting discussion on the differences between girls’ brains and boys’, if there are any. You’ll have to read it to find out...
1.A.attracted | B.interested | C.invested | D.introduced |
A.intended to | B.aimed at | C.targeted by | D.appealed to |
A.defended | B.dismissed | C.discovered | D.differed |
A.happens | B.projects | C.evolves | D.limits |
A.surprisingly | B.immediately | C.unfortunately | D.regularly |
A.expressing | B.explaining | C.declaring | D.exposing |
A.living | B.lively | C.alive | D.alone |
A.sympathetic | B.pessimistic | C.positive | D.negative |
A.laborious | B.humorous | C.productive | D.professional |
A.consulted | B.conducted | C.converted | D.suggested |
A.complicated | B.simplified | C.contrary | D.demanding |
A.denounce | B.distinguish | C.determine | D.depend |
A.appreciate | B.hate | C.respect | D.reflect |
A.confuse | B.combine | C.unite | D.associate |
A.mind | B.physical | C.mental | D.emotional |
2 . The Great PowerPoint Panic of 2003.
Sixteen minutes before touchdown on the morning of February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia (“哥伦比亚”号航天飞机)
The immediate
By the start of 2003, the phrase “death by PowerPoint” had well and truly entered the
Wired ran an excerpt (节选) from Tufte’s booklet in September 2003 under the headline “PowerPoint Is Evil.” A few months later, The New York Times Magazine included his assessment — summarized as “PowerPoint Makes You Dumb” — in its
Despite the backlash it inspired in the
On its face at least, the idea that PowerPoint makes us stupid looks like a textbook case of misguided technological doomsaying. Today’s concerns about social media somehow resemble the PowerPoint critique. Both boil down to a worry that new media technologies
A.disappeared | B.disintegrated | C.distributed | D.disappointed |
A.side | B.cause | C.feature | D.issue |
A.collected | B.unified | C.dropped | D.single |
A.discounted | B.viewed | C.accessed | D.founded |
A.muted | B.absorbed | C.buried | D.sunk |
A.technical | B.popular | C.negative | D.special |
A.possibly | B.reasonably | C.ordinarily | D.necessarily |
A.accommodated | B.combined | C.distinguished | D.enhanced |
A.abstract | B.repetition | C.review | D.brief |
A.press | B.publication | C.media | D.criticism |
A.opened | B.created | C.threw | D.jumped |
A.rules | B.harmonizes | C.impacts | D.roars |
A.feature | B.encourage | C.value | D.defend |
A.Therefore | B.However | C.Certainly | D.Surprisingly |
A.difference | B.truth | C.time | D.concern |
3 . Group-Centered Societies Have Just as Much Creativity
What does culture have to do with creativity? The answer could be “a lot”. For decades, psychologists trying to understand the roots of creative imaginations have looked at the ways in which two different types of cultures can come to have an effect over its artistic and
Individualism has long been thought to have a creative
The new work comes from comparing communities in different parts of China. Though it scores high, as a nation, on measures of cultural
In the new creativity study, researchers investigated innovation with these two groups in mind. The team used a drawing test that had been created by psychologists. They gave kids a sheet of paper with just a few basic elements printed on it: some dots here, squiggles (弯曲的线条) there, and a rectangle that suggested a drawing frame. The children got 15 minutes to use the elements already on the page to draw whatever they wanted. They could get “adaptive creativity” points for doodling in ways that connected the squiggles and lines into an original and
The researchers gave the test to 683 middle school students from north and south of the Yangtze River. When the scientists got the scores back, they discovered that there were no differences in the children’s overall creativity. When they broke down the results into components, they found that students from collectivistic regions scored
The findings are also a warning against cultural chauvinism (极端民族主义). Western countries have tended to lead the way in innovation — at least as defined by the metrics (指标) we Westerners have created. Perhaps we have been
A.theoretical | B.inventive | C.productive | D.regular |
A.prioritize | B.deprive | C.tolerate | D.abandon |
A.satisfy | B.stimulate | C.cherish | D.sacrifice |
A.shelter | B.edge | C.border | D.alternative |
A.embrace | B.propose | C.resist | D.create |
A.However | B.Therefore | C.Meanwhile | D.Moreover |
A.broadly | B.objectively | C.seriously | D.narrowly |
A.individualism | B.identity | C.collectivism | D.flexibility |
A.selfish | B.collective | C.individualistic | D.realistic |
A.fall apart | B.fit in | C.give in | D.show off |
A.separate | B.ugly | C.unified | D.tiny |
A.catch | B.miss | C.target | D.misuse |
A.higher | B.averagely | C.lower | D.vaguely |
A.capturing | B.approaching | C.imitating | D.overlooking |
A.improvements | B.drawbacks | C.insights | D.attempts |
4 . Artificial intelligence (AI) has amazing potential to change the world, and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface. As AI matures and people move further away from distinct programming and monitoring of systems, unidentified bias (偏见) might make decisions continue for a long time that cause
All too often, data sets are incomplete and the sample represented in the data set does not
Bias resulting from AI algorithms themselves, or algorithmic bias, is equally
To create ethical AI, companies need to put the
Having
None of this will be easy, but true innovation never is. By coming together and working on the problem of bias now, before it becomes a(n)
A.theoretical | B.psychological | C.disproportionate | D.unintended |
A.arise from | B.contribute to | C.take over | D.make up |
A.inspire | B.match | C.protect | D.restrict |
A.quit | B.administer | C.compare | D.analyze |
A.distinct | B.predictable | C.original | D.widespread |
A.restore | B.imply | C.miss | D.favor |
A.embarrassing | B.dangerous | C.relevant | D.ridiculous |
A.intentionally | B.temporarily | C.automatically | D.appropriately |
A.influence | B.help | C.attract | D.predict |
A.admit | B.define | C.address | D.publicize |
A.belongings | B.expressions | C.characteristics | D.needs |
A.civil | B.digital | C.legal | D.natural |
A.frequent | B.responsible | C.peculiar | D.graceful |
A.fair | B.quick | C.appealing | D.adequate |
A.leading | B.innovative | C.cultural | D.destructive |
5 . We never talked about school as the ticket to the future. I was in the classroom, but I wasn’t there to learn how to write, read or even
I had a(n)
Now I am 41 years old. One day, I planned to
The experts say what once
A.listen | B.paint | C.speak | D.act |
A.jump | B.hide | C.sleep | D.succeed |
A.but | B.and | C.although | D.so |
A.Chinese | B.history | C.geography | D.English |
A.important | B.strange | C.necessary | D.unwise |
A.turned to | B.looked after | C.looked down upon | D.paid attention to |
A.managed | B.failed | C.liked | D.tried |
A.gradually | B.frequently | C.immediately | D.directly |
A.drive | B.fly | C.walk | D.ride |
A.making | B.buying | C.fetching | D.sending |
A.pocket | B.machine | C.clothes | D.arms |
A.shyly | B.proudly | C.excitedly | D.angrily |
A.girl | B.man | C.woman | D.boy |
A.upset | B.glad | C.regretful | D.grateful |
A.news | B.jobs | C.chances | D.ideas |
A.work | B.write | C.read | D.teach |
A.author | B.assistant | C.teacher | D.doctor |
A.company | B.factory | C.house | D.classroom |
A.hurt | B.worried | C.hit | D.surprised |
A.excuse | B.ability | C.help | D.desire |
6 . The Last Robot-Proof Job in America?
You can get most food, such as warm cookies or vodka, to your doorstep in minutes. But try getting a red snapper (红鲷鱼). Until recently, if you could obtain it, it would likely have been pre-frozen and shipped in from overseas.
A new tech startup is aiming to
There is one thing,
“
By 1 a.m. each night, the company collects
Then, what can a fishmonger see that a computer can’t? DeGregorio showed me his part of the
Is he ever
A.maintain | B.remedy | C.substitute | D.recognize |
A.free | B.overseas | C.separate | D.fresh |
A.therefore | B.otherwise | C.however | D.thus |
A.ensure | B.propose | C.concede | D.remind |
A.overpriced | B.misidentified | C.displaced | D.modified |
A.computer | B.cuisine | C.fish | D.marketing |
A.Rather than | B.Thanks to | C.Except for | D.Prior to |
A.fund-raising | B.online-grocery | C.fish-selling | D.non-profit |
A.significant | B.worthy | C.responsible | D.ridiculous |
A.sales | B.orders | C.alternatives | D.statistics |
A.analyze | B.supply | C.prioritize | D.feed |
A.require | B.process | C.predict | D.value |
A.calculation | B.decoding | C.correction | D.selection |
A.smash | B.touch | C.wipe | D.roll |
A.concerned about | B.eager for | C.delighted with | D.capable of |
7 . The notion of building brand personality is promoted by Starbucks as a part of company culture to embed meaning in their products and thus attract more customers.
Starbucks literally changed the definition of “a good cup of coffee”. For Starbucks, the brand had three elements: coffee,
Almost all Starbucks stores were corporately owned and controlled. Starbucks prided itself on the “Starbucks Experience”,
The green Starbucks logo is a mermaid that looks like the end of the double image of the sea. It was designed by Terry Heckler, who got the
Starbucks makes the typical American culture gradually broken down into elements of
But the
A.people | B.managers | C.customers | D.clients |
A.assured | B.promised | C.ensured | D.predicted |
A.emergency | B.environment | C.employment | D.customer |
A.consisted of | B.benefited from | C.contributed to | D.headed for |
A.going beyond | B.coming across | C.making up | D.depending on |
A.With regard to | B.In addition to | C.Compared with | D.In terms of |
A.general | B.reasonable | C.legal | D.fascinating |
A.committed | B.alerted | C.subjected | D.required |
A.negotiate | B.perform | C.conceal | D.escape |
A.imagination | B.inspiration | C.patent | D.philosophy |
A.creates | B.cultivates | C.credits | D.conveys |
A.brand | B.logo | C.possession | D.experience |
A.greedily | B.gently | C.persistently | D.indifferently |
A.busy | B.easy | C.miserable | D.energetic |
A.product | B.vision | C.essence | D.importance |
8 . Globalization: Good or Bad?
Globalization is defined in many ways .One simple
Improved income?
An argument
However, these sorts of
More imports, more exports
Supporters of free trade point out that there is another direct benefit to be gained from an increase in international trade: exports
Finally, globalization often
Anti-globalists claim that there is a serious problem in this argument for the
A.indication | B.principle | C.definition | D.factor |
A.systems | B.solution | C.crisis | D.growth |
A.in favor of | B.on account of | C.with regard to | D.in honour of |
A.Fortunately | B.Similarly | C.Undoubtedly | D.Unusually |
A.freer | B.greater | C.stronger | D.wealthier |
A.figures | B.descriptions | C.countries | D.benefits |
A.severe | B.slight | C.further | D.general |
A.overtake | B.qualify | C.fight | D.require |
A.two-way | B.all-inclusive | C.official | D.legal |
A.Supporters | B.Advocates | C.Critics | D.Authorities |
A.otherwise | B.nevertheless | C.therefore | D.besides |
A.Global | B.Industrial | C.National | D.Economical |
A.encourages | B.restricts | C.forbids | D.forces |
A.stop | B.continue | C.fail | D.refuse |
A.globalization | B.transformation | C.specialization | D.identification |
The sights, sounds, and smells of the modern marketplace are rarely accidental. More likely, they are tools of an evolving strategy of psychological marketing called “sensory marketing” to create an emotional association to a(n)
By relating to people in a far more
Traditional marketing believes that consumers will systematically consider
In the past, communications with customers were mainly monologues — companies just ‘talked at’ consumers. Then they evolved into dialogues, with customers providing
Based on the implied messages received through five senses, consumers, without noticing it, tend to apply human-like personalities to brands, leading to intimate relationship and, hopefully for the brands, persistent
"Sincere" brands like IBM and Boeing tend to be regarded as conservative and reliable while "exciting" brands like Apple, and Ferrari are as imaginative and
Certainly, with the eyes containing two-thirds of all the
In other words, no aspect of a product design is left to
A.specific | B.qualified | C.average | D.adequate |
A.economic | B.personal | C.artificial | D.mechanic |
A.obvious | B.potential | C.accessible | D.concrete |
A.imaginable | B.objective | C.psychological | D.gradual |
A.alternative | B.reward | C.sample | D.exhibit |
A.compliment | B.fund | C.prospect | D.feedback |
A.temporarily | B.subconsciously | C.occasionally | D.attentively |
A.loyalty | B.philosophy | C.endurance | D.regulation |
A.mild | B.daring | C.steady | D.classic |
A.far-fetched | B.hard-won | C.long-lasting | D.easy-going |
A.individual | B.sensory | C.present | D.general |
A.overall | B.ambitious | C.dramatic | D.additional |
A.chance | B.maintenance | C.progress | D.leadership |
A.accept | B.overlook | C.fit | D.treat |
A.shape | B.punish | C.signify | D.exploit |
10 . Though people have discussed the relationship between science and nature for many years, there is no consensual(统一的) explanation. While some view science as a powerful tool in
Despite the different presentations of the concepts, though time separated the two men, both pieces express a similar view on the relationship between science and nature. Both pieces suggest that nature is
As Commoner’s article suggests, nature only allows science to have limited power and success. Both men believe that complete trust in science is
Commoner’s article clearly represents science as weak and useless, but more importantly, dangerous. It gives evidence to support the suggested dangers
A.building | B.defining | C.showing | D.uncovering |
A.concerns | B.views | C.findings | D.achievements |
A.interests | B.ambitions | C.discoveries | D.thoughts |
A.preventing | B.earning | C.destroying | D.breaking |
A.mysterious | B.powerful | C.fantastic | D.special |
A.prosperity | B.perfection | C.improvement | D.integrity |
A.beliefs | B.experiences | C.actions | D.attempts |
A.disappointing | B.meaningful | C.useless | D.significant |
A.throws | B.expresses | C.holds | D.casts |
A.improper | B.unbelievable | C.dangerous | D.unwise |
A.reforms | B.failures | C.experiments | D.changes |
A.controlled | B.digested | C.shared | D.applied |
A.question | B.doubt | C.hope | D.use |
A.provided | B.supplied | C.associated | D.compared |
A.directly | B.especially | C.definitely | D.necessarily |