1 . Research suggests that confidence is important to health and psychological well-being. But developing and maintaining confidence isn’t easy and it’s an easy thing to lose when you feel like you’ve failed or made a mistake.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Do you compare how you look to people around you? Or do you compare your salary to what your friend earns? Making comparisons is natural. But it isn’t likely to help boost your self-confidence.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself, perhaps more than you realize.
Self-talk that is optimistic can help you overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges. The next time you begin to think that you have no business speaking up in a meeting or that you are too out-of-shape to work out, remind yourself that your thoughts aren’t always accurate. Then find a way to turn those thoughts around into more positive self-talk.
Set Realistic Goals
The more you achieve your goals, the greater your confidence in yourself and your abilities. To set realistic goals, write down what you want to achieve.
| A．Be Kind to Yourself |
| B．Practice Positive Self-Talk |
| C．It may even have the opposite effect |
| D．So, pay attention to how others make you feel |
| E．Next, ask yourself what chance you have of achieving it |
| F．Here are a few positive effects of learning how to be confident |
| G．Fortunately, there are several ways you can increase your self-confidence |
2 . In Paris, you only need to see the Louvre, right? Wrong! There’s so much more to see in one of the world’s greatest cities for arts and culture! In this article, discover the best museums to visit in Paris.
Louis Vuitton Foundation
The architecture of this building alone makes a visit worth it. The building was designed by famous architect Frenk Gehry. There are works of art by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ellsworth Kelly, Olafur Eliasson, Gilbert & George, Jeff Koons, and many others. The admission ticket costs€16.
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10:00 am-6:00 pm (closed Sundays)
Paris Museum of Modern Art
The museum has a few huge works of art and a ton of other eye-catchers. It is technically free to visit, but they ask for a non-mandatory (非强制性的) donation of €5 to see the permanent artworks.
Hours: Tues—Sun, 10:00 am—6:00 pm (closed Mondays)
Musée National Picasso-Paris
The museum is home to thousands of Picasso works. Unlike the Rodin Museum, which contains works from many artists, the Picasso Museum keeps its collection closely tied to the master. The admission ticket costs€14.
Hours: Tues—Fri,10:00 am—6:30 pm; Sat and Sun, 9:30 am—6:00 pm (closed Mondays)
Musée Marmottan Monet
Similar to the Picasso Museum, the Monet Museum is mostly about Monet. The museum is only what it is today thanks to Michel Monet’s famous donation of his father’s remaining works of art. Admissions will run you from€9 to€14.
Hours: Tues—Sun,10:00 am—6:00 pm, late nights on Thursdays until 9:00 pm (closed Mondays).
1. Who was the designer of Louis Vuitton Foundation?| A．Frenk Gehry. | B．Ellsworth Kelly. | C．Olafur Eliasson. | D．Jeff Koons. |
| A．€10. | B．€18. | C．€28. | D．€32. |
| A．At 6:00 pm on Monday. | B．At 9:30 am on Thursday. |
| C．At 10:00 pm on Saturday. | D．At 10:00 am on Sunday. |
3 . Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer science at West Point during the 1970s and then at two private universities through the 1990s, so he isn’t surprised by the progress technology has made over the decades. But when the 91-year-old got his first virtual reality (VR) experience recently, he was amazed.
Sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, Patrick sat up straight as his eyes and ears experienced what it would be like to be in a Navy fighter jet flying off the Florida coast. John Knox Village was one of 17 senior communities around the country that participated in a recently published Stanford University study.
During the study, the seniors were picked from seven-minute virtual experiences such as riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with dogs and cats or visiting places like Paris or Egypt. The participants wore headsets that gave them 360-degree views and sounds, making it seem like they had been all but dropped into the actual experience.
The study, working with the company Mynd Immersive, found that almost 80% of the seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session and almost 60% said they felt less isolated socially. The enjoyment lessened somewhat for older respondents whose sight and hearing had deteriorated (恶化). Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more likely to dislike technology in general.
The company has worked on the biggest complaints the seniors in the study had about VR—the headsets were too heavy and the heat they generated made the seniors’ foreheads sweat. The new headsets weigh about six ounces (189 grams) instead of a pound (454 grams). Besides, they have a built-in fan for cooling, and the videos aren’t as jumpy.
Patrick says he hopes to live to 100 because he believes the next five years will see momentous changes in VR. Still a technology enthusiast, he believes the cost of systems will drop dramatically and become part of everyday living, even for seniors.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．To lead in the topic. | B．To reach a conclusion. |
| C．To present an argument. | D．To make a definition. |
| A．To illustrate the two cities’ support for VR. |
| B．To explain why seniors are crazy about traveling. |
| C．To compare the differences between the two cities. |
| D．To show the VR experiences the seniors can choose from. |
| A．Most seniors enjoyed VR. | B．Old people preferred socializing. |
| C．Seniors’ sight and hearing became worse. | D．Most retired people disliked high-tech products. |
| A．Its products hardly appeal to seniors. | B．Its goal is to produce high-quality videos. |
| C．It has made improvements on the headsets. | D．It has got a lot of complaints from teenagers. |
4 . I once wrote to my Future Self. The
And then I think: does any of it
Do you remember when we were wishing our life away in high school? We couldn’t wait to go to college, to grow up and be an adult. But now we are wishing time would
| A．outdated | B．original | C．revised | D．secondhand |
| A．promote | B．forget | C．ignore | D．wonder |
| A．solutions | B．answers | C．questions | D．projects |
| A．dream | B．temporary | C．old | D．routine |
| A．confident | B．married | C．intelligent | D．separated |
| A．hurt | B．weigh | C．rise | D．matter |
| A．requires | B．gives | C．means | D．includes |
| A．selfish | B．selfless | C．considerate | D．generous |
| A．seldom | B．twice | C．often | D．once |
| A．release | B．grab | C．abandon | D．refuse |
| A．disaster | B．misfortune | C．chance | D．week |
| A．present | B．gone | C．valuable | D．fallen |
| A．slow down | B．hold up | C．break up | D．pay off |
| A．And | B．While | C．So | D．But |
| A．choice | B．task | C．career | D．arrangement |
5 . National Parks in Utah
Zion National Park
It’s perfect for scenic drives and outdoor adventures. One of the park highlights is the Zion Canyons, which offers different hiking (远足) opportunities. Late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion National Park, since most facilities are open during this time. However, if you don’t mind cold weather, visit during the late fall and winter.
Bryce Canyon National Park
It’s home to the greatest number of hoodoos (石林) on earth, which are one of the natural wonders of the world. You can see most of Bryce Canyon’s highlights in one day by taking the scenic drive and making stops at various views. Most people visit the park between May and September since the weather is warmer.
Canyonlands National Park
Although it’s the 23rd largest National Park in the US, Canyonlands is the largest out of the four national parks in Utah. The best time of the year to visit is when the weather is pleasant in the spring and fall. The park has four main parts: The Maze, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and Horseshoe Canyon. If you plan to visit every part, you can go on a boat tour to explore it.
Arches National Park
Known as a red-rock wonderland, Arches National Park is popular for its stone arches (石拱).The park has over 2,000 stone arches, with Landscape Arch the largest. The park is busiest from March through October. However, the spring and fall temperatures are the most comfortable. So, the best time to visit is April, May, September and October.
1. When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?| A．Late spring. | B．Early summer. | C．Late fall. | D．Early winter. |
| A．It features hike programs. | B．It is known for stone arches. |
| C．It is the largest one in Utah. | D．It requires advance bookings. |
| A．Take a journey down a river. | B．Explore the Zion Canyons. |
| C．Tour Island in the Sky. | D．Admire the red rock. |
6 . When natural disasters happen, animals are very often left alone to defend themselves against the violence of nature. However, today, a man has changed this by using drones(无人机)to locate them.
Douglas Thron, a person from California, has been helping wildlife around the world in zones where a natural disaster has just happened, whether it is caused by a fire, a tornado, a hurricane or even a tsunami. With the help of his drone, he can locate animals still alive that could be trapped somewhere they cannot get out. Once he finds one or more, wildlife rescuers move in to free them or bring them back to safety to be treated, if they are wounded.
Thron has been involved in various actions to help the environment since the 1990s. He took a special interest in saving the ancient redwood forests of California but his job then was to shoot videos with his camera. In 2019, a Category Five hurricane hit the Bahamas. Thron decided to volunteer with a group called Sea Shepherd with the mission of documenting the damage. He brought drones with him. However, as he was flying them, he noticed a great number of trapped dogs. That is when he took the decision to try and save as many animals as he could.
To recognize animals at the distance easily, he decided to add infrared(红外线的) cameras to update the drone, which would recognize the heat of animals and make it easier to identify those needing help. He says that the ability for drones to help and save animal lives is just too great. He also insists that although it works in cases of disasters for wild animals, it can also apply to the search of domestic ones.
1. What does Thron do with the help of drones?| A．Lead the animals to safe places. |
| B．Locate trapped animals in the disasters. |
| C．Detect where there is a natural disaster. |
| D．Defend himself against the violence of nature. |
| A．A forest guard. |
| B．An animal rescuer. |
| C．A video photographer. |
| D．An environmental expert. |
| A．When he bought drones. |
| B．When he went into redwood forests. |
| C．When he began to volunteer in California. |
| D．When he noticed the dogs needing help in a hurricane. |
| A．To replace the old one. |
| B．To measure the heat of animals. |
| C．To identify animals more easily. |
| D．To rescue the people in disasters. |
7 . Every community has an ice cream store, but not all of them have a mission. When Charles Foreman opened his store, Everyday Sundae, he had a goal in mind, “My objective is to make a positive impact in my community by treating people like family and remembering them,” he said.
With his business slogan,“A place for community,” Foreman’s store has quickly gained a devoted following. Customers visit to enjoy their favorite flavors; artwork and cards from them decorate the walls; and some purchase their paper napkins there to support the store. Foreman has also organized events like storybook readings accompanied by sweet treats for children. What truly sets this business apart is the free ice cream that Foreman generously gives out.
“You know when they come in, you can see it. It was natural to notice some of the kids have it and others don’t. So I’m going to sponsor them.” Foreman said as he talked about how he can tell when a visitor wants a treat they can’t afford.“I just want to do some positive things. I believe my community is missing a family-friendly ice cream shop.”
One day, Nicole Harkin, one of his regular customers, noticed Foreman give a free ice cream to children without money. For Foreman, this was a constant gesture that had just gone unnoticed, but Harkin reacted with surprise. She came back and handed him an envelope containing 100 dollars. Foreman was so touched by Harkin’s gift that he posted it on Instagram. Foreman and Harkin’s kind behaviors also moved other customers to cover Foreman’s free ice creams for people they didn’t know. Foreman’s ice cream fund has received many donations since then.
“When you see people doing their best, you want to do your best,” Foreman said. “Everything is contagious, whether you do something negative or positive. We’re supposed to do all we can to help each other.”
1. Why was Charles Foreman’s store so special?| A．It provides free goods to the community. | B．It offers children ice cream for free. |
| C．It is a place to show creativity. | D．It collects donations from others. |
| A．The motive for his generous action. | B．The sympathy for those poor children. |
| C．The urge for an ice cream shop. | D．The methods to help those in need. |
| A．A report on his unnoticed gesture. | B．An envelope with a letter in it. |
| C．A post of someone’s generous action. | D．A game between him and his customer. |
| A．Critical. | B．Influential. | C．Precious. | D．Optimistic. |
8 . One well-below-freezing morning last December, I walked through the grounds of Ontario Place. Trees were frosted sculptures, and large pieces of ice floated in the lake. I stopped to take a photo, and that’s when I saw them: a group of people jumping up and down in the water.
I didn’t quite believe my eyes. The ice fighters came out from the lake, their skin steaming. They were laughing and hugging each other so free. Watching them, I felt a rush of excitement. I called out: “You guys are awesome!” One woman smiled back and said, “Come and join us! We’re here every Monday at 7 am. You can sign up online.” When I got home, I signed up and received a confirmation email telling me what to bring.
The next morning, a young man first led us through introductions and breathing exercises. Together we jumped up and down, and then charged into the lake. We swam down until just our heads and hands were above water, and called out into the sky. Teeth chattering(打颤),fingers and toes going numb(麻木),we stayed there for a few minutes.Knowing it was my first time, people cheered me on.When we swam back out of the water, my skin was bright red. It felt amazing. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so happy. I went from swimming once a week to almost every day, and I’ve come to expect that moment when the cold becomes a second skin. Apart from the thrill, what have drawn me are the people.
It won’t fix everything in our lives, or the world at large - but for some reason, it helps. At the end of each session, I returned home feeling stronger and lighter. As another winter sets in, I’m more than ready to embrace the cold again.
1. What do we learn about the writer’s mood from paragraph 2?| A．Ashamed. | B．Thrilled. | C．Concerned. | D．Confused. |
| A．She hesitated to jump into the lake. |
| B．She expected it to be so interesting. |
| C．She suffered from cold and hunger. |
| D．She was encouraged by her fellow swimmers. |
| A．Her hands got frozen. | B．Her head went numb. |
| C．Her body was trembling badly. | D．Her skin turned bright red. |
| A．She obtains much strength. |
| B．She realizes her full potential. |
| C．She can fix everything confidently. |
| D．She finds a new purpose in life. |
9 . 4 Best Things to Do in Hollywood
Learn About Insane World Records
The Guinness World of Records Museum along Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame isn’t just a fun stop on the main tourist drag, it also happens to be housed in the oldest standing movie house in the area, originally built in 1913. Inside, the museum houses an impressive collection of photos, videos, and artifacts representative of the thousands of amazing world records.
See a Show at the Troubador
Hollywood may be best known for its movie and television stars, but there’s quite a bit of music history, too. People who love music should do their best to get tickets for a show at the Troubadour, Los Angeles’ most famous and storied concert venue, which has seen some incredible moments.
Take Photos of the Hollywood Sign
There are plenty of places with views of the Hollywood Sign, but one of the most accessible spots to see the sign and take a photo is from the viewing bridges at the Hollywood& Highland complex next to the TCL Chinese Theatre. The shopping and entertainment center is home to many well-known shops and restaurants, where you can enjoy views of the sign.
Meet Celebrities at a Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is one of the originals, housing an ever-changing collection of wax movie stars and a permanent collection of past presidents. Nearby, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum opened in 2009, sporting a much larger selection of wax figures, many of which seem more lifelike than those at the Hollywood Wax Museum. Visit both for yourself and be the judge.
1. What do you recommend a Guinness record seeker to do?| A．See a show at the Troubador. | B．Meet celebrities at a Wax Museum. |
| C．Learn about Insane World Records. | D．Take photos of the Hollywood Sign. |
| A．Film viewers. | B．Oil painters. |
| C．Television directors. | D．Music lovers. |
| A．The TCL Chinese Theatre. |
| B．The Hollywood & Highland. |
| C．The Hollywood Wax Museum. |
| D．The Guinness World of Records Museum. |
10 . Best royal palaces in Europe you can visit
There are some royal palaces in Europe that they often open their doors to the public.
Drottningholm Palace, Sweden
This breathtaking 17th century palace in Drottningholm is not only the residence of the Swedish royal family, but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its impressively preserved castle and theatre. The palace and park are open to the public year-round.
Royal Palace of Oslo, Norway
The official royal residence for the Norwegian royals, this beautiful palace boasts neoclassical architecture and landscaped gardens complete with ponds and eye-catching statues. During the summer months the palace opens to the public on guided tours, which include beautiful staterooms (会客厅), the Bird Room, the Great Hall and the Family Dining Room.
Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
While the Palacio Real is officially the royal residence, nowadays the Spanish royals choose to live in the Zarzuela Palace instead, with the Madrid palace used mainly for state ceremonies. There are over 3, 000 rooms in this breathtaking palace making it one of the largest palaces in the world. Highlights include the royal kitchens and the painting gallery, while the Changing of the Guard ceremony never fails to be a hit with tourists.
Palace of Versailles, France
If you seek after a palace that’s luxurious (豪华的), then the Palace of Versailles needs to be on your list. France hasn’t had a royal family since the French Revolution in 1789, but this palace offers a glimpse into how the former royals lived, as well as serving as a museum paying tribute to France’s rich history.
1. What is special about Drottningholm Palace?| A．It is open to the public. | B．It is redecorated. |
| C．It’s the residence of French royal family. | D．It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| A．The painting gallery. | B．A history museum. |
| C．Beautiful staterooms. | D．An impressive castle. |
| A．The changing of the Guard ceremony. | B．The process of French Revolution. |
| C．The history of Spanish royals. | D．The way of the former royals’ life. |
