1 . During an interview for one of my books, my interviewer said something I still think about often. Annoyed by the level of distraction (干扰) in his open office, he said, “That’s why I have a membership at the coworking space across the street — so I can focus”. His comment struck me as strange. After all, coworking spaces also typically use an open office layout (布局). But I recently came across a study that shows why his approach works.
The researchers examined various levels of noise on participants as they completed tests of creative thinking. They were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to various noise levels in the background, from total silence to 50 decibels (分贝), 70 decibels, and 85 decibels. The differences between most of the groups were statistically insignificant; however, the participants in the 70 decibels group — those exposed to a level of noise similar to background chatter in a coffee shop — significantly outperformed the other groups. Since the effects were small, this may suggest that our creative thinking does not differ that much in response to total silence and 85 decibels of background noise.
But since the results at 70 decibels were significant, the study also suggests that the right level of background noise — not too loud and not total silence — may actually improve one’s creative thinking ability. The right level of background noise may interrupt our normal patterns of thinking just enough to allow our imaginations to wander, without making it impossible to focus. This kind of “distracted focus” appears to be the best state for working on creative tasks.
So why do so many of us hate our open offices? The problem may be that, in our offices, we can’t stop ourselves from getting drawn into others’ conversations while we’re trying to focus. Indeed, the researchers found that face-to-face interactions and conversations affect the creative process, and yet a coworking space or a coffee shop provides a certain level of noise while also providing freedom from interruptions.
1. Why does the interviewer prefer a coworking space?| A．It helps him concentrate. | B．It blocks out background noise. |
| C．It has a pleasant atmosphere. | D．It encourages face-to-face interactions. |
| A．Total silence. | B．50 decibels | C．70 decibels. | D．85 decibels. |
| A．Personal privacy unprotected. | B．Limited working space. |
| C．Restrictions on group discussion. | D．Constant interruptions. |
| A．He’s a news reporter. |
| B．He’s an office manager. |
| C．He’s a professional designer. |
| D．He’s a published writer. |
2 . When I was 9, we packed up our home in Los Angeles and arrived at Heathrow, London on a gray January morning. Everyone in the family settled quickly into the city except me. Without my beloved beaches and endless blue—sky days, I felt at a loss and out of place. Until I made a discovery.
Southbank, at an eastern bend in the Thames, is the center of British skateboarding, where the continuous crashing of skateboards left your head ringing .I loved it. I soon made friends with the local skaters. We spoke our own language. And my favorite: Safe. Safe meant cool. It meant hello. It meant don’t worry about it. Once, when trying a certain trick on the beam(横杆), I fell onto the stones, damaging a nerve in my hand, and Toby came over, helping me up: Safe, man. Safe. A few minutes later, when I landed the trick, my friends beat their boards loud, shouting: “ Safe! Safe! Safe!” And that’s what mattered—landing tricks, being a good skater.
When I was 15, my family moved to Washington. I tried skateboarding there, but the locals were far less welcoming. Within a couple of years, I’d given it up.
When I returned to London in 2004, I found myself wandering down to Southbank, spending hours there. I’ve traveled back several times since, most recently this past spring. The day was cold but clear: tourists and Londoners stopped to watch the skaters. Weaving(穿梭)among the kids who rushed by on their boards, I found my way to the beam. Then a rail—thin teenager, in a baggy white T—shirt, skidded(滑)up to the beam. He sat next to me. He seemed not to notice the man next to him. But soon I caught a few of his glances. “I was a local here 20 years ago,” I told him. Then, slowly, he began to nod his head. “Safe, man. Safe.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Safe.”
1. What can we learn about the author soon after he moved to London?| A．He felt disappointed. | B．He gave up his hobby. |
| C．He liked the weather there. | D．He had disagreements with his family. |
| A．Be careful! | B．Well done! | C．No way! | D．Don’t worry! |
| A．To join the skateboarding. | B．To make new friends. |
| C．To learn more tricks. | D．To relive his childhood days |
| A．Children should learn a second language. |
| B．Sport is necessary for children’s health. |
| C．Children need a sense of belonging |
| D．Seeing the world is a must for children. |
1. 分析优势与不足；
2. 提出学习建议。
注意：
1. 词数100左右;
2. 题目和首句已为你写好。
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4 . A Few Tips for Self-Acceptance
We all want it… to accept and love ourselves. But at times it seems too difficult and too far out of reach.
●
●Forgive yourself for mistakes that you have made. We are often ashamed of our shortcomings, our mistakes and our failures.
●Recognize all of your strengths. Write them down in a journal. Begin to train your brain to look at strength before weakness. List all of your accomplishments and achievements. You have a job, earned your degree, and you got out of bed today.
●Now that you’ve listed your strengths, list your imperfections. Turn the page in your journal. Put into words why you feel unworthy, why you don’t feel good enough. Now, read these words back to yourself.
| A．Feeling upset again? |
| B．Where do you start? |
| C．Nothing is too small to celebrate. |
| D．Remember, you are only human. |
| E．Set an intention for self-acceptance. |
| F．Stop comparing yourself with others. |
| G．When does the comparison game start? |
5 . Is Fresh Air Really Good for You?
We all grew up hearing people tell us to “go out and get some fresh air.”
Recently, people have begun studying the connection between the natural world and healing(治愈).
| A．Fresh air cleans our lungs. |
| B．So what are you waiting for? |
| C．Being in nature refreshes us. |
| D．Another side benefit of getting fresh air is sunlight. |
| E．But is fresh air really as good for you as your mother always said? |
| F．Just as importantly, we tend to associate air with health care. |
| G．All across the country, recovery centers have begun building Healing Gardens. |
In ancient China lived an artist
Filled with
1. 人物简介；
2. 尊敬和爱戴的原因。
注意:
1. 词数100左右；
2. 短文题目和首句已为你写好。
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A 90-year-old has been awarded “Woman Of The Year” for
Picking up her “Lifetime Achievement” award, proud Irene
Granddaughter Gayle Parks, 31—who works alongside her in the family business—said it remained unknown as to who nominated Irene for the award. She said, “We don’t have any idea who put grandma forward. When we got a call
9 . Every year about 40,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. They
Hearing these stories, I’m
However, I soon
The best of a Kilimanjaro
Does Kilimanjaro
| A．keep | B．mix | C．connect | D．bring |
| A．stories | B．buildings | C．crowds | D．reporters |
| A．position | B．age | C．face | D．name |
| A．silent | B．skeptical | C．serious | D．crazy |
| A．discover | B．argue | C．decide | D．advocate |
| A．equipment | B．grass | C．camps | D．stones |
| A．remote | B．quiet | C．tall | D．clean |
| A．new | B．special | C．significant | D．necessary |
| A．paying off | B．spreading out | C．blowing up | D．fading away |
| A．atmosphere | B．experience | C．experiment | D．sight |
| A．studied | B．observed | C．explored | D．regarded |
| A．view | B．quality | C．reason | D．purpose |
| A．scientists | B．climbers | C．locals | D．officials |
| A．holding on to | B．going back to | C．living up to | D．giving way to |
| A．changes | B．clears | C．improves | D．permits |
| A．match | B．imagine | C．count | D．add |
| A．village | B．desert | C．road | D．lake |
| A．Obviously | B．Easily | C．Consequently | D．Finally |
| A．permanent | B．little | C．fresh | D．artificial |
| A．enjoy | B．deserve | C．save | D．acquire |
10 . Journey Back in Time with Scholars
Classical Provence(13days)Journey through the beautiful countryside of Provence，France，with Prof. Ori Z. Soltes. We will visit some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. Our tour also includes a chance to walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Fields of flowers, tile-roofed(瓦屋顶)villages and tasty meals enrich this wonderful experience.
Southern Spain(15days)
Spain has lovely white towns and the scent(芳香)of oranges，but it is also a treasury of ancient remains including the cities left by the Greeks，Romans and Arabs. As we travel south from Madrid with Prof. Ronald Messier to historic Toledo，Roman Merida and into Andalucia, we explore historical monuments and architecture.
China’s Sacred Landscapes(21days)
Discover the China of “past ages,” its walled cities，temples and mountain scenery with Prof. Robert Thorp. Highlights(精彩之处)include China’s most sacred peaks at Mount Tai and Hangzbou’s rolling hills，waterways and peaceful temples. We will wander in traditional small towns and end our tour with an exceptional museum in Shanghai.
Tunisia(17days)
Join Prof. Pedar Foss on our in-depth Tunisian tour. Tour highlights include the Roman city of Dougga，the underground Numidian capital at Bulla Regia, Roman Sbeitla and the remote areas around Tataouine and Matmata，uique for underground cities. Our journey takes us to picturesque Berber villages and lovely beaches.
1. What can visitors see in both Classical Provence and Southern Spain？
| A．Historical monuments. | B．Fields of flowers. |
| C．Van Gogh’s paintings. | D．Greek buildings. |
| A．France. | B．Spain. | C．China. | D．Tunisia. |
| A．White towns. | B．Underground cities. | C．Tile-roofed villages. | D．Rolling hills. |
