1 . A young Los Angeles actor in need of a second job to pay his bills has come up with a brilliant way to add his income — people walking.
Chuck McCarthy originally considered becoming a dog walker to earn some extra cash, but soon realized that the job required more than walking dogs on a leash (皮带). “I didn’t want to pick up dog poop (粪便), and that’s kind of what you are really being paid for, for dog walking,” he said. But people don’t usually poop when they take a walk, so Chuck realized there was money to be made walking people around Los Angeles instead.
It might sound like a joke, but the People Walker, as he calls himself, is very serious about his new job. For $7 per mile, he offers to walk with customers around L.A., listening to their problems or simply making conversation and offering them a sense of safety.
His services are aimed at people who need motivational help to go walking, those who don’t feel safe walking alone in some areas, and those who are afraid that people might see them walking by themselves and think that they have no friends.
“I wear my The People Walker shirt upon request and on the first walk with a new customer, so they can be 100% sure it’s me,” McCarthy says. However, he admits that some people don’t agree to this policy, as they don’t necessarily want everyone to know that they are being walked.
Believe it or not, McCarthy’s business has been very successful. He already has another five people walkers employed, covering various areas, like downtown L.A., Hollywood, Eagle Rock, Las Feliz or Fairefax. Once he posted signs around the city, his phone started ringing and customers began rolling in. And with all the free publicity he has been getting in the press lately, he has been overwhelmed (不堪重负的) with requests.
1. Why does Chuck McCarthy need a second job?| A．To kill his spare time. | B．To become more active. |
| C．To get rid of his loneliness. | D．To increase his income. |
| A．he didn’t want to pick up dog poop |
| B．he didn’t earn any extra cash |
| C．people in L.A. didn’t believe in him |
| D．there were few dogs in L.A. |
| A．lifestyle | B．hobbies | C．service targets | D．service areas |
| A．most people in Los Angeles live a lonely life |
| B．the People Walker is quite popular with some people |
| C．people living in Los Angeles lack a sense of security |
| D．McCarthy’s business has almost spread to the whole country |
2 . Aptitude Tests Recommendations
Aptitude tests are helpful to job seekers of all ages. While career quizzes explore your values and work style, aptitude tests provide a more objective evaluation of your skills, helping you select a career you’re most likely to succeed in. Below are some of the best aptitude tests out there.
Clifton Strengths
The Clifton Strengths program was created based on research around leadership. The research in question pointed to common strengths among successful leaders, like strategic thinking, adaptability and communication. To complete the test, you must answer around 150 questions, each within 20 seconds. Allen Cheung, a tech blogger, notes that CliftonStrengths is more valuable than your average career test because it includes “tricky questions which aren’t as easily gamed”.
Red Bull Wingfinder
Developed and tested out by psychology experts, the Red Bull Wingfinder assesses your thinking under pressure. Questions include image sorting, logic puzzles and leadership-related questions. Once you complete the test, you’ll receive a nine-page report and career coaching tailored to your results.
SEI Development Report
The SEI Development Report is an extensive EQ aptitude test that has timed right-and-wrong answers that assess eight fundamentals, including emotional literacy, emotional management and empathy. At the end, you’ll receive a 20-page report with recommended courses on workplace EQ development.
CareerOneStop
While it only takes a few minutes to complete, the CareerOneStop Skills Assessment will help you rank both your technical and soft skills. The career suggestions at the end can be sorted by relevance, annual wages, and job outlook, coupled with with professional coaching or consultation improve your skills.
1. What do aptitude tests mainly assess for job seekers?| A．Their work ethics. | B．Their career interest. |
| C．Their preferred work style. | D．Their professional competence. |
| A．It evaluates leadership skills. | B．It is developed by experts. |
| C．It includes challenging questions. | D．It offers a comprehensive report. |
| A．Clift on Strengths | B．Red Bull Wingfinder |
| C．SEI Development Report | D．CareerOneStop |
3 . When we’re in trouble, we always turn to our parents for help. But would you like them to hear the conversations you have with your friends on the school playground or lunch queue? Social networking sites have become extensions (延伸) of the school hallways, so would you add your parents as “friends” and allow them to view your online activities and conversations with friends?
In the past the generation gap included a technology gap, where children were up to date with the latest technology and parents were left behind, content to continue their day-to-day lives as they always had because they had no need to know more about technology. However, more and more parents are beginning to realize just how important social networks are in their lives. This realization has given many parents the motivation (动机) to educate themselves about social networking sites.
These days many people are attracted to social networking sites because they can choose who they have around them, there’s also a certain amount of control over privacy (隐私) that we don’t get in real life. Sometimes we feel that privacy is violated (违背) when we must accept a “friend” request from a parent or family member.
It’s a difficult choice whether or not to allow a parent to become a part of our online lives. On the one hand we don’t want to “refuse” their request because that might hurt their feelings or make them feel you have something to hide. On the other hand if you do accept, then you could have a sense of being watched and no longer feel free to comment or communicate the way you did before.
A recent survey suggested that parents shouldn’t take it personally if their children overlook (忽略) their requests. When a teenager overlooks a parent’s friend request, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he is hiding something, but it could mean that this is one part of his life where he wants to be independent.
Perhaps talking with parents and explaining would help soften the blow if you do choose not to add them to your friend list.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?| A．Parents feel se cure about their privacy online. |
| B．Parents have realized the importance of social networks. |
| C．Social networks successfully fill the generation gap. |
| D．Social networks offer a chance for parents to communicate. |
| A．Their parents make negative comments on them. |
| B．They hide something from their parents. |
| C．Their parents tend to fall behind in technology. |
| D．They are unwilling to be watched by parents. |
| A．The teenager is hiding something from his parents. |
| B．The teenager does not respect his parents’ requests. |
| C．The teenager wants to be independent in certain aspects of his life. |
| D．The teenager is unfamiliar with the use of social media. |
| A．Parents’ friend requests. | B．Privacy online. |
| C．The generation gap. | D．Social networks. |
4 . Tea culture is varied in different countries by the way tea is made and drunk, and by the places for tea drinking. How to make tea may be different. According to the ways of making tea, tea is classified into white tea, green tea, black tea, etc. And how to prepare tea may be different, too. In Tibet, tea is commonly boiled with salt and butter. People may drink tea at home or in public, for example, at tea houses.
As part of culture, tea has a relationship with history, health, education, communication and so on. It is commonly used at social activities. For example, afternoon tea is a British custom. Families or friends can communicate with each other while having afternoon tea.
Tea has remained a way of daily life in China and drinking tea has a lot of advantages. It makes people less tired, clears heat in the human body and helps people lose weight.
Chinese people are good at using tea to make other things delicious. Tea, originally served as a medicine in ancient times, is now not just a kind of drink, but also excellent seasoning (调味品). Here are two delicious dishes made with tea:
Tea Eggs: You can find them cooked and sold in street markets in almost every city in China. Dragon Well Tea Shrimp (龙井虾仁). It’s one of the most well-known dishes in Hangzhou. Before you drink tea please check the following tips:
◆Drink tea hot.
◆The best time to drink is in between meals. It is bad for your stomach if you drink tea just before meals, during meals or soon after meals.
◆Do not drink too much strong tea.
1. Which of the following is similar to the underlined phrase “classified into”?| A．carry out | B．sort out | C．turn into | D．burst into |
| A．weekend activity | B．hobby | C．way of communication | D．game |
| A．a drink | B．a dish | C．seasoning | D．a medicine |
| A．ways of making tea | B．places to drink tea |
| C．tools for drinking tea | D．advantages of drinking tea |
Stackworth Museum tells the history of the famous Stackworth family, and gives information about other well-known local people. These include poets, artists and writers. There is an excellent café.
Scotwood ManorThe rooms in Scotwood Manor are furnished as they were 100 years ago. The staff spend the day as people did then and are happy to explain what it was like. There are activity sheets for children and shop with books, gifts and cards, as well as a good café and car park.
Woodlands MuseumSet in beautiful countryside, the Woodlands Museum is arranged like a village of 100 years ago. To learn more about this period, visitors are encouraged to spend time doing practical things such as making pots and cooking. There is playground with picnic area.
Westerleigh MuseumWesterleigh Museum is near the bus station and contains exhibitions showing the town's development. In a separate room there are works by some well-known artists. The museum has café and is near the bus and railway station.
Freshwater MuseumFreshwater was once an important fishing port. Freshwater Museum, inside the old harbour office, shows how the town developed and later became a tourist centre. There is an activity room for young children with DVDs, a large picnic area, and good bus service.
1. If you are interested in famous people in history, you can visit________.| A．Scotwood Manor | B．Stackworth Museum |
| C．Westerleigh Museum | D．Woodlands Museum |
| A．Read books at a shop. |
| B．Appreciate paintings by famous artists. |
| C．Do some hands-on activities. |
| D．Learn about the Stackworth familys history. |
| A．Both are art-centred. |
| B．Both offer attractive gifts. |
| C．Both tell the local history. |
| D．Both are near a railway station. |
6 . What do classrooms, computer desks, cafeterias (自助食堂), and libraries have in common? That’s the places where students spend so much of their time. Although hours of studying burn mental energy, both your body and mind need physical exercise to function efficiently.
The importance of exercise is nothing new. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that to be successful in academic studies, a person should spend two hours on exercise every day, for health must not be sacrificed (牺牲) for learning. A strong body makes the mind strong.
It turns out Jefferson was on to something. A study by researchers at Tufts University found that students who said they exercised at least 3 days a week were more likely to report a better state of physical health and greater happiness than those who didn’t exercise. This and other evidence suggest that the real benefits of exercise may not come right after a workout but from a longer commitment to regular activity.
But experts today do not demand 2 hours of daily exercise. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that people get at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
Walking, jogging and swimming are easy ways to increase your heart rate and improve health. Exercise can also help lower blood pressure and reduce stress. For women, exercise that makes the body and bones bear weight — like walking or running — may reduce the risk of osteoporosis (骨质疏松) later in life.
You’ll likely discover another benefit of exercise as well: greater self-confidence. This may make it easier for you to participate in class and help you perform well in academic and social situations.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?| A．A lot of students like to read while eating. |
| B．Dining halls can also be used to do exercise. |
| C．Study and exercise burn the same amount of energy. |
| D．Many students don’t pay enough attention to exercise. |
| A．Jefferson’s statement made sense. |
| B．Jefferson was very fond of exercise. |
| C．Jefferson was on the way to doing exercise. |
| D．Jefferson increased the importance of exercise. |
| A．The importance of exercise. | B．How to choose a suitable sport. |
| C．How to keep healthy by exercising. | D．The link between exercise and study. |
7 . If you are looking for a vacation to a beautiful beach town, here you can find the best cities along the East Coast based on a departure (离开) from Los Angeles.
Savannah, Gcorgia
Round-trip flight cost: $ 415
Walking tours of the city’s attractions are led by local historians to help you better know the city’s past and you can see the bench where Forrest Gump sat. There is also a free tour to Forsyth Park, home to a 300-ycar-old Candler Oak tree. Visitors can also stay at the Forsyth Park, which includes a spa, restaurant and cooking school.
Charleston, South Carolina
Round-trip flight cost: $519
You don’t have to travel to Europe to visit one of the world’s best spots. Charleston made Travel and Leisure’s 2018 list of the top 15 international cities. You can enjoy the sunshine for free at Folly Beach and watch the sunset from the dock.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Round-trip flight cost: $358
There are no flights from Los Angeles directly to Block Island, but a round-trip flight to Providence, Rhode Island. There you can make your way to Block Island and visit 1661 Farms and Gardens, which is home to kangaroos, camels, ducks, goats and much more.
Roanoke, Virginia
Round-trip flight cost: $517
Take advantage of the arts and crafts trips, hiking paths and waterfall stops all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you don’t want to stay outdoors, visit the Taubman Museum of Art for free. The museum has a collection of over 2,100 pieces from around the world and hosts special exhibits throughout the year.
1. What do tours in Savannah allow visitors to do?| A．Learn about the history of the city. |
| B．Help plant trees in Forsyth Park. |
| C．Attend a cooking school for free. |
| D．Watch an open-air movie. |
| A．like to enjoy the sunset in the harbor |
| B．love to spend time with animals |
| C．want to appreciate works of art |
| D．prefer enjoying the mountain view |
| A．Savannah. | B．Charleston. | C．Block Island. | D．Roanoke. |
8 . How to Avoid Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a common problem that can be just as damaging as any other form of addiction. Maybe you are concerned that you are too dependent on the Internet and feel very upset.
Reach out to friends and family to build more in-person connections If you desire social interaction, call up a friend and make plans to do something fun.
Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga, meditation, muscle relaxation, and deep breathing are all great ways to relax when you’re feeling stressed.
Watch for signs of Internet addiction and seek help if you notice them. If you are concerned about becoming addicted to the Internet, staying aware of the signs of Internet addiction may help you know when to seek help. Be on the lookout for any signs that you may have become addicted.
| A．Act right away to limit your Internet usage. |
| B．Replace Internet use with a-healthy activity. |
| C．Arrange a family dinner or a game night also helps. |
| D．Employ your extra time to do something worthwhile. |
| E．Following are several strategies to limit your Internet usage. |
| F．You are likely to think that the Internet addiction will ruin your life. |
| G．You should not reach for your smart phone or laptop when you are feeling pressured. |
9 . Music is all around us. It’s an accessible and popular art form which accompanies our daily lives. Advertisers have long understood the popularity and emotional power of music and capitalized on it. They spend much time and money securing the right soundtrack (配乐) for an advertisement in order to boost sales. For example, Microsoft spent a reported US$3 million using Start Me Up as part of their advertising campaign for Windows 95.
As one researcher puts it, “Music expands pictures and colors words, and often adds a form of energy available through no other source.” This is supported by other studies, which suggest that music matching the main message of an advertisement has a positive effect on consumer engagement. This is known as “musical congruity” and can result in better attention, a positive emotional response, finally improving the effectiveness of an advertisement.
Take the simple but interesting advertisement for Air France, with the soundtrack of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23, for example. It projects greatness and elegance in the hope that viewers will associate those qualities with the airline. The research, which looked at hundreds of viewer comments about the music used in advertising, suggested it was successful.
Music is also effective at arousing (唤醒) emotional memories in advertisements creates associations with consumers’ past experiences. A good choice of music allows businesses to tap into this nostalgia for commercial benefit.
However, the use of popular music in advertising can also arouse arguments between artistic effort and commercialism. Some people believe a work of art shouldn’t be used for the pursuit of profit. The findings of study showed that consumers sometimes passionately oppose the use of music produced by respected musicians in advertisements, as they believe that it destroys the aesthetic integrity (美学完整性). For example, Nike’s use of the Beatles’ song Revolution was seen by some as using John Lennon’s music to sell shoes. It made some Nike wearers so angry that they refused to buy the products.
1. What does the underlined phrase “capitalized on” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Taken advantage of. | B．Held on to. |
| C．Checked up on. | D．Cried out for. |
| A．It helps cut down the cost of advertising. |
| B．It reminds consumers of their past experiences. |
| C．It makes advertisements much more convincing. |
| D．It explores the relationship between music and digital art. |
| A．Tolerant | B．Unclear | C．Doubtful | D．Objective |
10 . In the digital world of endless comparisons, a thought-inspiring study by a team at Ruhr University Bochum reveals a surprising truth: materialism (物质主义) on social media adds stress and reduces happiness. This research, conducted through an online survey of over 1,200 participants, highlights the unique way social media causes materialistic attitudes and the subsequent impact on mental health.
Conducted with a diverse group of participants, the survey analyzed the social media behaviors and psychological states of individuals, focusing on their materialistic posts. The study employed six questionnaires to understand the participants’ materialistic attitudes, social media habits, stress levels, and life satisfaction. The participants, averaging over two hours a day on social media, revealed a clear pattern: higher levels of materialism on social media are associated with lower life satisfaction, increased stress symptoms, and a higher risk of social media addiction.
The study’s implications extend beyond numbers and charts. It suggests a worrying trend where individuals seeking validation (肯定) through materialistic displays on social media might be sacrificing their mental peace and happiness. Social media addiction is characterized by frequent use of social media platforms, often at the expense of other activities. Stress symptoms can range from anxiety to physical signs like headaches or tiredness. What’s clear is that social media may cause far more harm to users than good.
While the study acknowledges the risks associated with social media, especially for materialistic individuals, Dr. Ozimek, a psychologist, advises against completely abandoning these platforms.
Instead, he suggests a balanced approach of various activities to avoid comparison. Researchers also propose incorporating materialism and social media usage assessments in mental health treatment. Recognizing these factors as potential starting points for interventions offers new methods for addressing modern-day mental health challenges.
1. What does the survey find about the materialistic posts?| A．They produce high life satisfaction. |
| B．They help to ease stress symptoms. |
| C．They lead to social media addiction. |
| D．They bring about high consumption patterns. |
| A．Some people avoid too much use of social media. |
| B．Some people try to seek the good of online displays. |
| C．Some people undervalue mental peace and happiness. |
| D．Some people pursue recognition through online material shows. |
| A．Abandoning social media platforms. | B．Keeping a balance among various activities. |
| C．Assessing social media posts objectively. | D．Searching for potential interventions. |
| A．Turn to Rich Life for Growth |
| B．Assess Real Life for Mental Health |
| C．Materialism on Social Media Decreases Happiness |
| D．Understanding of Materialism Differs among Individuals |
