1 . Do you ever talk to yourself? Although it’s not always a conscious habit, most of us practice self-talk on a daily basis.
Research shows that self-talk can increase productivity, motivation and confidence, and even help manage feelings. “There is solid evidence that self-talk strategies improve learning and performance,” according to sport psychologist Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis, who studies the phenomenon of self-talk.
He explains that there are generally three reasons why we practice self-talk: to instruct, to motivate or to evaluate. Instructional self-talk happens when we need to guide ourselves through a specific task, such as learning a new skill. Motivational self-talk usually is used when we want to prepare ourselves for something challenging; it can help to increase confidence. Evaluative self-talk mostly is related to past events or actions.
Hatzigeorgiadis stresses that if we want to use such self-talk to good advantage, it needs to be short, precise and, most of all, consistent. Of course, self-talk also can be ineffective and even detrimental if it’s not done right.
“It is a matter of personal preference or what works for each person; but generally, it is advised that self-talk be positively rather than negatively phrased and focus on what you should do rather than on what you should avoid,” Hatzigeorgiadis says. So, for example, it would be better to say “stay cool” instead of “don’t get upset”. Although both instructions convey the same meaning, you should use positive words rather than negative ones. In this way you can avoid ill results.
Another thing that can make a difference when practicing self-talk is the way you address yourself. According to the research published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, using “you” rather than “I” when talking to yourself tends to be more effective. The researchers explain that when you think of yourself as another person, it allows you to give more objective and useful feedback (反馈).
1. Why do people talk to themselves in Antonis’s opinion?| A．To recall their past experiences. |
| B．To guide them to find more opportunities. |
| C．To encourage them to overcome difficulties. |
| D．To evaluate their performance when doing a task. |
| A．You shall be brave. | B．Never be afraid. |
| C．I must be brave. | D．You mustn’t be afraid. |
| A．Disturbing. | B．Embarrassing. | C．Useless. | D．Harmful. |
| A．People do self-talk based on rules. |
| B．People do self-talk for good reason. |
| C．People benefit from proper self-talk. |
| D．People should perform positive self-talk. |
2 . People are often surprised by my fear of blood and needles. Working in a public health unit, I probably have more daily interaction with syringes (注射器) than the average person. But the truth is, having my blood drawn scares me.
When I was 9, I had an extremely high temperature. A nurse rudely stuck the needle into my arm causing a sharp pain. I avoided having blood taken from my body for the next years. A few months before I turned 30, my doctor ordered a blood test as part of my physical exam. I panicked. Sensing my fear, she gently suggested I see a psychiatrist (精神科医生). “Dr. M helped my other patients with the same fear, ”she said.
When Dr. M called to set up an appointment, I hesitated. Talking about personal problems to a medical licensed stranger was uncommon in my family. “A psychiatrist?” Mother asked “He’ll just put you on drugs. Can’t you get over this yourself? I almost listened. But I went to Dr. M’s clinic finally. “Phobias(恐惧症) are pretty easy to treat, ”he said. I wasn’t convinced of his words, but was running out of options
We started with basic exposure treatment. I watched videos of blood being drawn every day. As I started to feel more at ease with needles, Dr. M suggested drawing blood. As he gently pressed the needle into my flesh I felt dizzy and breathed deeply. After a few minutes, I looked at the needle. It wasn’t so bad. I didn’t pass out. “You’re doing well, ” Dr. M said.
I still find it unpleasant getting blood drawn, but thanks to several months of treatment, I'm less scared. I hate to admit it but Dr. M is right—phobias can be treated. Sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone and face our fears. And this can lead to freedom in the end.
1. What caused the author's phobia?| A．Her sensitivity to pains. | B．Her anxiety about the blood test. |
| C．Her bad medical experience | D．Her regular contact with syringes |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Hopeless. | C．Disappointed. | D．Hesitant. |
| A．It eased the author’s pain totally. | B．It was smoother than expected |
| C．It centered on exposure treatment. | D．It turned to video-based technology. |
| A．Ups and Downs Make One Strong | B．Walk Toward What Scares Us |
| C．Bravery Brings Us a Happier Life | D．Nurse Our Mental Health Carefully |
3 . A botanical garden is a natural space dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of a large range of plant species for education or scientific purposes, apart from offering beautiful scenery. Here are four botanical gardens and be sure to add them to your must-visit list.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The garden in the Golden Gate Park is 55 acres in size and home to nearly 9, 000 plant varieties from around the world. It contains several smaller gardens that mimic environments from around the globe. It mission is to connect people to plants and instill a deep understanding of the need for environmental conservation
Hawaii Tropical Botanic Garden
It is located on Hawaii’s big island with its entire conservation area of over 100 acres and over 2, 500 plant varieties. The garden provides guided tours and plenty of resources for educators to help their students learn about the planet. It also works with the University of Hawaii to serve as a research centre for biodiversity.
Desert Botanical Garden
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, it is a magnificent place full of cacti, succulents, and other desert plant. With 140 acres and 50. 000 different plants in its unique botanical garden, visitors can learn about what organisms thrive in one of the hottest and driest parts of the world—the Sonoran Desert.
Huntington
Located in San Marino, California, it is a research institution that includes about 120 acres of landscaped gardens that showcase plants from all over the world. It has a conservation program that maintains a seed bank and tissue culture lab. This way, it can help protect any endangered species, variety, or breed.
1. Which botanical garden is a living classroom?| A．San Francisco Botanical Garden. | B．Desert Botanical Garden |
| C．Hawaii Tropical Botanic Garden | D．Huntington. |
| A．It's unique for rare plant species |
| B．It's located in the hottest part of the world. |
| C．It's the largest botanical garden in America. |
| D．It's home to a wide range of desert plants. |
| A．They have conservation programs |
| B．They contain abundant foreign plants |
| C．They aim to preserve endangered spices |
| D．They are added to many people's must-visit lists |
4 . In recent times, with the advent of electric cars, the idea to fuel them with solar energy also gained momentum. Electric cars—even though they run on electricity and don’t use fossil fuels—are still NOT GREEN! People suffer from the misconception that not using fossil fuel means “green” which is kind of absurd, considering the electricity we use is generated by burning the very same fuels!
However, what if your car had solar panels that could charge it? Now that would indeed be a green machine! Basically, as much as we would like to incorporate this energy source into our car, the efficiency of the currently used solar panels is subject to the fulfillment of different criteria.
Firstly, solar panels occupy a large amount of area. An average car has an area of 10-25 sq. ft. on the roof. which can generate between 50-150 W under ideal conditions. This is hardly enough power to illuminate a light bulb! Also, moderate sunny temperature needs to be ideal, as extremely high temperatures can reduce the efficiency of the solar panels. Cars must work in all weather conditions, so if a solar panel limits the car’s functionality, it becomes practically useless. More importantly, the cost of the panels and development required to power the electronics using the sun’s energy outweighs the benefits that solar panels provide.
Most cars today that have solar roofs, use the solar energy to power only a few basic functions of the car. While there is still time before we will be able to drive cars fully powered by solar energy, there are some alternatives, such as solar power stations, which are being designed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for electricity.
Solar-powered vehicles are surely the future, but not the near future. As the cost of solar panels continues to fall and their efficiency increases, things will begin to look much “brighter” for this alternative and sustainable option!
1. Why aren’t electric cars environmentally friendly?| A．They won’t work as well as the common cars. |
| B．They are not powered by solar energy. |
| C．They run on electricity produced by burning fuels. |
| D．They cause more pollution to the world. |
| A．Temperatures have little effect on solar panels. |
| B．Powering the electronics costs little. |
| C．A car’s roof generates enough power to light a bulb. |
| D．The performance of current solar panels depends on various factors. |
| A．Most cars have solar roofs. |
| B．Cars can be currently powered from solar power stations. |
| C．Cars partly powered by solar energy are on the road. |
| D．Solar cars will soon be available. |
| A．What do solar cars look like? |
| B．Why don’t we power the car with solar energy? |
| C．How do solar cars work? |
| D．Could solar cars replace the electric cars? |
Rising sea levels are threatening coastlines in China, for example in
The good news is
The development of electric vehicles is particularly
Ecological civilization has become the cornerstone (基石) of China’s long-term development strategy, much like climate action is
6 . Recently, my mother experienced a surgery. It was conducted to
I told him it would be great if we could think of a(n)
When finally I arrived at the hospital, I had the
When my mom recovered well and was
Nurses really are the true
| A．repair | B．add | C．remove | D．shut |
| A．met with | B．operated on | C．looked into | D．tended to |
| A．active | B．pleased | C．comfortable | D．strong |
| A．efficient | B．extra | C．special | D．exact |
| A．appointing | B．performing | C．organizing | D．approving |
| A．ignored | B．exhausted | C．recognized | D．prepared |
| A．doubt | B．decision | C．agreement | D．idea |
| A．attempt | B．chance | C．courage | D．luck |
| A．considerately | B．frequently | C．occasionally | D．individually |
| A．make | B．enjoy | C．need | D．deserve |
| A．ordered | B．permitted | C．convinced | D．delayed |
| A．witness | B．share | C．appreciate | D．understand |
| A．monitors | B．heroes | C．providers | D．experts |
| A．result | B．reality | C．difficulty | D．situation |
| A．service | B．sacrifice | C．guidance | D．promise |
7 . If you picnic in a Texas park, chances are you’ll encounter fire ants — a kind of pest that can deliver painful bites. This invasive (入侵的) species, like many others, is not only annoying but also destructive.
An invasive species is any kind of living thing that isn’t native to an ecosystem and causes harm. Sometimes non-native species are imported by accident, like in the 1930s when ships from South America inadvertently took fire ants to North America. Other times non-native species are imported deliberately. Some types of Asian fish that were originally imported to the U.S. from China to clean fish farms escaped and entered rivers. Green iguanas were brought to China, as pets, but irresponsible owners released them.
Non-native species have even been imported for emotional reasons. A man once released dozens of European starlings (八哥) in New York in an effort to bring all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings to America. Today, millions of starlings cause over $800 million in damage to U.S. agriculture every year. Invasive species’ global economic influence is also enormous. The U.S. government assesses that invasive species cost the American economy over $120 billion every year.
Invasive species can damage their host habitats by unbalancing local ecosystems. They often lack natural enemies in their new environment and out-compete native species for food and other resources. They also might feed on local species. Invasive species can also carry diseases for which local species have no immunity (免疫力). This can result in the loss of an entire native species.
Invasive species are among the leading threats to native wildlife. About 42% of threatened or endangered species are at risk due to invasive species. Unless people take serious action, the economic and environmental costs of invasive species will become disastrous.
1. What does the underlined word “inadvertently” mean in paragraph 2?| A．Separately. | B．Regularly. |
| C．Temporarily. | D．Unexpectedly. |
| A．To satisfy his wish. |
| B．To raise them as pets. |
| C．To copy Shakespeare’s behavior. |
| D．To do agricultural experiments. |
| A．Food shortage for native people. |
| B．Serious economic imbalance. |
| C．Economic and environmental problems. |
| D．Dangerous diseases for humans. |
| A．Wildlife Conservation |
| B．Protecting Native Species |
| C．Environmental Protection Measures |
| D．Our Unwelcome Guests |
8 . Jessica Long, from Baltimore, Maryland, USA is a champion by all definitions of the word. She is one of the world’s most decorated swimmers. Jessica was the youngest athlete to win a Paralympics (残奥会) medal. But her path to becoming a champion has been anything but easy.
Jessica was born in Irkutsk, Russia with a severe and rare disease — fibular hemimelia (腓侧半肢畸形). This means that part of her leg bones was missing or abnormal. Because of that, her young mother placed her in a Russian orphanage (孤儿院), fearing she could not care for Jessica.
Fortunately, she was adopted by an American family when she was 13 months old. She required 25 different surgeries to help her leg condition. But unfortunately, both of her legs had to be removed when she was just 18 months old. Jessica learned to walk with artificial legs. As a child, she took to sports including gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, biking and rock climbing.
She began swimming at her grandparents’ house when she was 6. She started competitive swimming about 4 years later. She did really well in swimming. Shortly after she started competing, Jessica was selected as Maryland’s Female Swimmer of the Year with a Disability. Even though Jessica was annoyed with her physical limitations, she was encouraged to enter her first Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. She won three gold medals in swimming at 12! But she did not rest on her success.
Jessica has gone on to win 23 medals for Team USA at the Paralympics! While she began her career out of anger and annoyance, she now has a positive force on a mission to inspire the next generation of Paralympians! Her attitude and growth have been keys to her success. Jessica always believed she could do anything. As she says, “The only disability in life is a negative attitude.”
1. What happened to Jessica when she was a baby?| A．She was abandoned in the wild. | B．She had 25 operations on her leg. |
| C．She had her legs cut because of a disease. | D．She was adopted by a Russian family. |
| A．At the age of 4. | B．At the age of 6. |
| C．At the age of 10. | D．At the age of 12. |
| A．She was the youngest athlete in US history. |
| B．She has set a good example to Paralympians. |
| C．She has won 23 gold medals in Paralympics. |
| D．She took part in several sports in Paralympics. |
| A．Difficult the first time, easy the second. |
| B．Never hit a man when he is down. |
| C．A common danger causes common action. |
| D．Nothing is impossible to a determined heart. |
9 . If you want to bring your cat along on a weekend break somewhere in the UK, where are the best places to go?
The Redcoats Farmhouse Hotel, Hitchin
The Redcoats Farmhouse Hotel offers home-cooked food and comfortable bedrooms. The historic country house is set in four acres of gardens, with scenic views across Hertfordshire’s countryside. Small pets are allowed, but make sure they are well-behaved. And they are not allowed on the beds. If they cause any extra damage or mess, like mud, then there will be an extra charge.
The Tiggers Cottage, Berkshire
The Tiggers is a beautiful, 180-year-old, black and white Tudor cottage located within a moment’s walk of pretty Bray High Street with lovely views over the gardens. Your cat will love the coal fireplace and the owner’s two pet dogs, Sambuca and Truffle, are always on hand to join you for a walk if your cat would rather enjoy the enclosed garden.
The Jack Russel Inn, Andover
The Jack Russell Inn welcomes all forms of four-legged friends. With natural beauty and wildlife in the surrounding areas, this lovely place also offers local food that celebrates great British produce. Not to mention the warm underfloor heating you and your cat will want to rest on.
The Roast Ox Inn, Wales
Located in Painscastle, Wales, this cat-friendly Inn offers wonderful sights of natural beauty, from rivers, forests and mountains, to nearby market towns. The hotel offers bedrooms with super-king sized beds, and a cat Michael, the owner’s pet, who is always on hand to welcome guests.
Click here to book a stay.
1. What do The Tiggers Cottage and The Roast Ox Inn have in common?| A．They both have a long history. |
| B．The large bedrooms are provided. |
| C．They are both near the market towns. |
| D．The owners’ pets are friendly to guests. |
| A．The Roast Ox Inn. | B．The Tiggers Cottage. |
| C．The Jack Russel Inn. | D．The Redcoats Farmhouse Hotel. |
| A．From a local magazine. | B．From a travel book. |
| C．From a newspaper. | D．From a webpage. |
10 . The Peer Education Project
The Peer Education Project is a school-based programme that aims to give young people the skills and knowledge they need to safeguard their mental health, and that of their peers (同龄人). By training older pupils to deliver mental health lessons to younger students, we intend to include the programme in the school course as a key source of support to young people experiencing mental health problem.
Why is peer education helpful?
·Young people always turn a deaf ear to adults and are more willing to listen to their schoolmates.
·Young people may feel more comfortable asking questions of their fellows.
·Peer-delivered programmes can provide accessible role-models and advisers.
·The Peer Education Project uses existing social networks to exercise influence and maintain the influence beyond the classroom.
What does the project teach?
·It introduces mental health as something that we all have, like physical health.
·It encourages students to think about ways to stay well, how to seek help and support friends.
·It introduces some common wrong opinions about mental health, and deals with the discrimination (歧视) against people with mental problems.
Our new PEP platform
The PEP platform is designed to be a one-stop shop for The Peer Education Project. Register now to access the resources you will need to introduce mental health into your school course.
Contact us
We are currently working to bring the project to more schools. Call or email us if you’d like to take part, or to find out more about what’s involved.
1. What’s the purpose of The Peer Education Project?| A．Give lessons to older pupils. | B．Help the young with their mental health. |
| C．Teach skills and knowledge of study. | D．Provide key support to schools. |
| A．It creates useful social networks. |
| B．It hires professional advisers to help. |
| C．It helps young people communicate with their parents. |
| D．It helps the young communicate with their fellows. |
| A．register now | B．pay a visit in person |
| C．make a phone call | D．send a short message |
