1 . Making the Most of the Body Clock
Want to know the best time to do your homework and study for your exams? Then just make the most of your body clock, and you can work more efficiently (效率高地) and more happily.
It is reported that in the morning your body can take fatty foods more easily, so don’t worry too much about having a big breakfast.
Have you ever got the idea that the best time for the brain to work well is between 10:00 am and noon? Therefore, that’s the time when you should be listening to your teachers in full attention.
Lunch-timeBetween 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm is the most suitable time for eating. The body clock tells your body to help you digest (消化) your food at this time, so you have less chance of suffering from stomachache.
Early AfternoonAfter three o’clock, the body clock starts to tell your body to work again.
Between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm is the time people are most likely to feel lonely.
| A．Everyone’s body clock is slightly different. |
| B．From 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm your body is at its fittest. |
| C．A good sleep helps to clear your brain and relax your mind |
| D．This maybe why students like to phone or meet their friends at this time. |
| E．Let’s now find out what activities are best for us at different times of the day. |
| F．The body is best at fighting pain between the hours of 9:00 am and 10:00 am. |
| G．Body temperature usually drops at this time and all the body systems slow down. |
2 . Time is one of the most valuable commodities we have. It is a non-renewable resource that,once lost, cannot be regained.
We frequently run out of time in today’s fast-paced world. We have deadlines, appointments and responsibilities to meet within a certain time.
The proverb “time and tide wait for none” reminds us that time is a limited resource that we must make the most of.
“Time and tide wait for none” also reminds us that time is valuable and should not be squandered (挥霍). We should treasure every moment and make the most of it. We should spend time with our loved ones, pursue our passions and do things that make us happy.
The proverb serves as a powerful reminder of the value of time management. Time is a finite resource that must be used wisely. So, let us all strive to maximise our time and live our lives to the fullest.
| A．We all have the same amount of time in a day. |
| B．Life is too short to waste time on things that don’t matter. |
| C．Distractions are one of the most difficult challenges we face. |
| D．It encourages us to be mindful of our time and to use it wisely. |
| E．It’s all too easy to let time slip away while browsing our news feeds. |
| F．It illustrates the idea that time is fleeting and it doesn’t wait for anyone. |
| G．With so much to do, it’s easy to lose track of time and allow it to pass by you. |
3 . I often find myself running late on the edge of missing appointments. It’s not that I enjoy being late, but somehow, it keeps happening. A delayed train, a miscalculation in time, a wrong turn — the reasons for my lateness are many. I dislike being late, and yet, I frequently find myself in a rush or arriving behind schedule.
Michaela Thomas, a Swedish clinical psychologist, calls people like me “time optimists” or “tidsoptimists”. We underestimate how long tasks will take and overestimate the time we have.As a result, we often find ourselves rushing, causing stress for both ourselves and those around us. This might sound like a charming trait, but it can be perceived as disrespectful when it leads to lateness, as it signals that our time is more valuable than others’.
Lateness not only affects the latecomer but also impacts loved ones and colleagues. It creates a domino effect of chaos, annoyance, and inconvenience for everyone involved. It can even have severe consequences.
The causes of chronic lateness are complex. People, according to Jung, fall into two categories: “timekeepers”and“timebenders.” Timekeepers work methodically, stay organized,and usually finish tasks ahead of schedule. In contrast, timebenders, like me, push things to the last minute, feeling most energized and creative when under pressure.
Many see procrastination (拖延) as a key reason for lateness, but it’s not simply a time management issue. Fuschia Sirois, a professor of social and health psychology, believes procrastination often arises from mood management. People put off tasks to avoid dealing with emotions like anxiety, fear, or frustration. It can also be a form of rebellion when face d with boring or uncontrollable tasks.
Is there a solution for latecomers? Researchers suggest creating pre-event deadlines for important occasions like a wedding or catching a flight, so that the extra time can help you avoid being late when unforeseen circumstances arise. You can inform friends, family, and colleagues about your commitment to punctuality and ask for their support in helping you stay on time. For everyday improvement, setting alert s on phones for getting ready instead of departure time,breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts and prioritizing time-flexible tasks can be helpful.As we seek to overcome our lateness, understanding the root causes is the first step to making a positive change.
1. According to the passage,“time optimists” refer to people who tend to .| A．leave things until the last minute | B．always be punctual |
| C．work in an organized manner | D．have a casual personality |
| A．It is always due to a lack of time management skills. |
| B．It is driven by the desire for perfectionism. |
| C．It is a charming and creative quality in individuals. |
| D．It may arise from a desire to avoid uncomfortable emotions. |
| A．Setting departure time alerts on the phone. |
| B．Prioritizing time-sensitive tasks over flexible ones. |
| C．Allowing enough time for important events. |
| D．Relying on friends to make plans in advance. |
| A．Ways of strict time management. | B．The impact of procrastination on punctuality. |
| C．Benefits of punctuality in daily life. | D．Reasons for lateness and strategies to address it. |
1. How long did the woman sleep last night ?
| A．About two hours. | B．About four hours. | C．About six hours. |
| A．On Wednesday. | B．On Thursday. | C．On Friday. |
| A．At 1: 00 p. m. | B．At 2: 30 p. m. | C．At 4: 20 p. m. |
1. What does the woman usually do on Saturdays?
| A．She goes swimming. | B．She plays basketball. | C．She goes shopping. |
| A．On Friday nights. | B．On Saturday nights. | C．On Sunday nights. |
7 . The most important skill I picked up at school was keeping a routine. Routines allow us to develop a rhythm to our lives, but they also have their downsides.
It can be easy to get so accustomed to your routine that you don’t realize you’re no longer conscious of your time. This can stop progress, which means you start living your life on autopilot. It’s important that you include time in your routine for self-reflection. Doing the same thing week after week can be dull. If you make time to try new things and explore new interests, you can adjust your routine to better fit your lifestyle as things change.
When I first came to college, I was told countless times that it’s important you develop a routine so you can focus on things important to you. But it’s easy to forget the bigger picture. I got so used to the same old things that I would often forget about all of the other fun and exciting opportunities college had to offer.
It wasn’t until my junior year that I really started setting time aside to explore things that were interesting to me. This was partly because COVID-19 and lockdown made my college life a lot more boring. It was this experience that made me realize I was stuck in a rut, a feeling I’m sure many came to terms with. I decided I was going to make a change. I needed to find a balance between keeping a structured schedule and finding time to be creative and try new things.
I started writing and doing research to apply the things I learned in class. I started learning new instruments, visiting new places around town and exploring new ways to get involved in the local community. All of these different experiences allowed me to look at the things I was doing from a new perspective. It made me reassess what I’m doing with my life and pursue new goals, which have added tremendous value to my life.
Routines are important, yes, but don’t forget: it’s not the routine that determines your life. It’s only you who can decide how you spend your time, so don’t forget to throw something new in there from time to time. Above all else, don’t live your life on autopilot.
1. What can happen if we “live our lives on autopilot” according to the author?| A．We make rapid progress. |
| B．We get bored by our dull lives. |
| C．We forget to practice self-reflection. |
| D．We become more sensitive to changes. |
| A．It was vital to develop a routine. |
| B．A structured schedule helped beat boredom. |
| C．He should focus on important things. |
| D．He should lead a more balanced life. |
| A．He changed his career path. |
| B．He changed his major in college. |
| C．He paid more attention to his books. |
| D．He enriched his social life. |
| A．We should balance our school work and interests. |
| B．It’s important to explore possibilities outside our routines. |
| C．Our routines define our goals and who we are. |
| D．Colleges offer us numerous opportunities to try new things. |
8 . Overcome Your Procrastination
Procrastination (拖延) is a phenomenon we are familiar with. When we procrastinate we waste our free time and put off important tasks we should do until it’s too late. It’s a bad habit stopping us achieving greater success in life.
Break your work down into little parts.
Part of the reason why we procrastinate is that we find the work too much and huge for us. Break it down into little parts, and then focus on one part at a time. If you still procrastinate after doing so, break it down even further.
Change your environment.
Look at your work desk and your room. Do they make you want to work or do they make you sleepy?
Create a detailed timeline with specific deadlines.
I’m so sure if you spend just 10 minutes talking to people like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, you’ll be more inspired to act than if you spend the 10 minutes doing nothing. The people we are with influence our behavior.
| A．Talk to people who inspire you to take action. |
| B．Having a friend makes the whole process much more fun. |
| C．Soon, your task will be so simple that you will think you can do it now. |
| D．If it is the latter, you should begin to change your workspace. |
| E．Having just one deadline for your work is like an invitation to procrastinate. |
| F．Find out someone who has already achieved the similar result to your goals. |
| G．Here, I will share some personal steps taken to overcome procrastination with great. |
