2 . If you’re a white-collar worker working at an office, it’s unlikely that anyone can guess exactly what you do from your clothes. That’s not true for lots of the people you interact with. The bus driver who gets you to your destination, and the people on reception as you enter the building — they’re likely to be wearing some kind of corporate uniform. A poll of American workers conducted last summer by Gallup found that although most employees wear casual clothes, almost a quarter wear a uniform.

Some employers require uniforms, since they help ensure a level of professionalism in appearance, project a brand identity with useful job-specific features, and send a clear signal to customers about whom they should approach with questions.

Those customers draw different conclusions if staff are in uniform. A study by Robert Smith of Tilburg University and his colleagues asked people to imagine being on the receiving end of poor service when picking up a pizza. They were then shown pictures of uniformed or non-uniformed employees. Participants were more likely to blame the company than the individual for a bad experience when a uniform was involved. If corporate clothing makes each worker seem more representative of their employers, the authors suggest that it may be a good idea not to give it to inexperienced workers.

Uniforms can also affect the psychology of employees. In 2012, Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky coined the term “unclothed cognition” to describe the effect that specific clothes have on the way people think and feel. In one study, Emilie Caspar of Ghent University gave participants the option to apply minor electric shocks to other people in return for money; those dressed in Red Cross uniforms showed more empathy than those in normal outfits.

The effects uniforms have on workers will obviously vary. The obvious objection to uniforms is that they lack individuality. But employees who don’t have to wear a formal uniform tend to have their own pattern of dressing, thus forming another informal uniform.

1. What do we know about white-collar office workers?

A．They must follow strict rules about uniforms.

B．Their way of dressing reveals their job duties.

C．Their clothes may not be relevant to their work.

D．They wear uniforms to inspire customers’ interest.

2. What did the participants do in the study in Para. 3?

A．They imagined being served in a shop.

B．They dressed up in employees’ uniform.

C．They were asked to work in a pizza shop.

D．They ordered pizza from uniformed employees.

3. Why are workplace uniforms disliked by some people?

A．They block customers’ en-clothed cognition.

B．They re an expression of being inexperienced.

C．They are inferior to their own pattern of dressing.

D．They lack an express on of wearers’ individuality.

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．An essay on fashion trend.

B．A review of workplace culture

C．A guidebook about making clothes.

D．An introduction about social customs.

3 . NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour recommendation about what to view and read this weekend.

Riddle of Fire

Riddle of Fire is set in Wyoming. Three kids just want to play video games, but their mom gives them a request that only when they bake a pie for her ten can they play their video games. So this launches a little charming adventure. Full in love with this movie, I hope other people will heck it out. — Monica

Palm Royale, streaming on Apple TV+

Palm Royale stars a bunch of women and is set in the late 1960s-Kristen Wiig plays a woman who wants to fit in with the rich society at an exclusive Palm Beach club. There is a sub-plot about women’s environmental consciousness. It is silly fun, with excellent costumes. — Danielle

Collecting the Simpsons, by Warren Evans

This book takes you through the T-shirts, the video games, the comics, the cookie jars, all the Simpsons stuff that was produced around the mid-90s. It goes into the Bart phenomenon where Bart Simpson was tied fighting in the Gulf War and playing local music. It’s a fun and interesting tip into that time. — Jordan

Get the Picture, by Bianca Bosker

Unlike her previous book Cork Dork exploring the wine world, Bianca’s new book sets out to better understand the art world. Instead of talking about things in the art world that sound strange, she goes in with an open heart and tries to listen to what people are saying. I learned a lot about art, and I appreciated her approach. — Linda

1. Why does Monica recommend Ridle of Fire?

A．It keeps us conscious of the environment.	B．It reminds us of life in the mid-1990s.
C．It’s filled with fascinating adventures.	D．It helps us listen to the language of art.

2. What did the role Kristen played try to do?

A．To fit in with the rich society in a club.	B．To get the children to bake a pie for her.
C．To play local music while fighting at war.	D．To listen to what artists say in the artwork.

3. What dilemma was Bart stuck in?

A．What to do to get admitted into the rich society.

B．Who to turn for help making a pie for his mum.

C．How to appreciate the true beauty in an artwork.

D．Whether to go to the war or enjoy local music.

4 . The client crises in my social-work job always multiplied during the holidays. As I drove through the darkness that rainy December night, I shelved my worry and focused on our December events.

The parking lot was full. Everyone in our small Arkansas town must have turned out for the Christmas program. Our second grader son Jon should have joined his class inside the gym by now, but I was running late. Jim and Michael, our fifth graders, were warm and dry inside.

While Jon played with a toy in the back seat, I drove once more through the parking lot. Then I saw, through the downpour, the narrow area of grass between two cars perfect for our small car. I pulled into the spot, nosing forward to line up beside my neighbor.

With a loud noise, the front of our new car ran over some hard stones and hung over a foot above a pool. Shaking, I held the wheel and couldn’t decide whether to drive forward or backward. Either would do damage to my car.

Suddenly, someone tapped on the driver-side window. A man stood there in the cold rain. Without greeting he gave me instructions. “When I walk to the front of your car and lift, put it in reverse (倒挡) and back up.”

He moved unhurriedly around to the front of the car into my headlights. With apparent strain, he lifted and held the car’s front end. I remember staring a moment, and then I put the car in reverse and looked over my shoulder until the front tires rested on the ground again. Before I could thank him, he was gone. I never saw him again.

Much later, I realized our car-lifting angel marked a turning point in our family’s direction. In the decades since that evening, life has thrown plenty of difficulties in our way. But I recall that night and know confidently that there’s someone ready to help.

1. What was the author’s task that December night?

A．Attending a Christmas event.

B．Sending Jon to his gym lessons.

C．Taking the car to the garage.

D．Solving one of the client crises.

2. How did the man help the author?

A．He raised the front of the car in the rain.

B．He backed out the author’s Car skillfully.

C．He picked up the author’s children from the gym.

D．He saved the author from the pool of water.

3. Which of the following best describes the impact of the author’s experience?

A．Unidentifiable.

B．Predictable.

C．Life-threatening.

D．Far-reaching.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．I Learned a Lesson That Night.

B．The Heavy Lifter Saved Me.

C．I Was Coached to Back My Car.

D．The Act Eased Client Crisis.

5 . Are your keys not in the spot you thought you left them? Can’t recall the title of a book? I’ve had those moments. Such instances of “brain freeze” remind us that we should do everything in our power to keep our brains sharp.

A new study finds Tai Chi study can help slow cognitive (认知的) decline and protect against dementia (痴呆). The study included about 300 older adults, in their mid-70s on average, who had all reported that their memory was not as good as it used to be.

As part of the study, all the participants took a 10-mirrute test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A normal score is 26-30. A person who scores between 18 and 25 is considered to have mild impairment (损害), which means they don’t have dementia but they’re not as sharp as they used to be and may need to work harder to maintain everyday activities. Once their score drops under 18, people experience quite a bit of impairment from memory loss and cognitive decline.

The average score of participant s at the start of the study was 25. The study found that people who practiced a simplified form of Tai Chi twice a week for about six months improved their score by 1.5 points, meaning that they’re going to get three extra years before they hit that decline into dementia.

Researchers also tested a more stricter type of Tai Chi, called Cognitively Enhanced Tai Chi, where they provided extra challenges. For example, participants were asked to spell a word, backward and forward, as they moved through a series of Tai Chi moves. The people who practice this type of cognitively enhanced Tai Chi improved their scores by about 3 points, meaning they are given six extra years of cognitive function.

The theory on why Tai Chi is effective is that it combines the memorization of the movements, known as forms, almost like composing dancing moves.

1. Why are two questions raised in the first paragraph?

A．To present the author’s doubts.	B．To expect answers from readers.
C．To analyze the causes of forgetfulness.	D．To introduce the main topic of the text.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．Cognitive assessment methods.	B．The process of running the test.
C．Cognitive measurement criteria.	D．The test results of the participants.

3. What does the pre-best average score of the participants imply?

A．Most of them suffer from, dementia.	B．They remain as quick-minded as before.
C．Many of them have slight cognitive decline.	D．They can protect themselves against dementia.

4. Why does Tai Chi have a positive impact?

A．It helps resolve challenges.	B．It involves mind-body movements.
C．It puts off cognitive decline by three years.	D．It improves the participants academic level.

6 . Things To Remember On Your First Solo Travel Adventure

If you’ve ever thought about just taking a trip yourself instead of waiting for someone to join you, you’re not alone.     1     However, do you count yourself among the many who have tried it? If you’re planning your own solo trip, here are four important things to keep in mind.

    2     Since you’re traveling solo, how you choose to explore it is entirely up to you. This is your chance to do whatever you want whenever you want because this time, you’re running the show.

Don’t be afraid to talk to random people. Though there is someone who poses a threat, it’s important to remember that not everyone is out to get you.     3    That’s because you’re a novelty, a person from another country who is visiting theirs. Therefore, instead of putting on your headphones or instantly seeing them as weirdos, use this spontaneous chat as a chance to meet the locals or get recommendations for things to do during your trip.

It’s okay to have bad days.     4     It happens and it’s completely okay to take some time to process whatever it is you’re feeling. Take yourself to a movie or spend the day dong something relaxing like writing in your journal or reading on the beach.

It’s okay to start small.     5     Start by doing a staycation in another part of town, spending a few days in a new locale a bus or train ride away. Just do whatever you’re comfortable with and see how it all feels for you.

A．You are the boss of your own adventure.

B．You need to make an unusual travel choice.

C．It’s no secret that solo travel is on the rise.

D．Sometimes things can go incredibly wrong.

E．People like you simply don’t know how to start.

F．Most of the time people are just curious and try to be friendly.

G．Remember, your first solo trip doesn’t have to be to a whole other continent.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

A．His feeling after receiving an award.

B．His experience about traveling around.

C．His preference for different music types.

2. Where is the speaker from?

A．Ireland.

B．Scotland.

C．England.

3. What did the speaker most recently announce to the public?

A．A single song.

B．A three-song collection.

C．A twelve-song collection.

4. Who will speak next?

A．A young musician.

B．One of the speaker’s fans.

C．The host of the ceremony.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did Peter learn from his grandfather?

A．How to appreciate art works.

B．How to deal with artists.

C．How to run a museum.

2. What did Peter do in Chicago?

A．He studied at a college.

B．He served in the army.

C．He worked in a gallery.

3. Whose works did Peter like best?

A．Rembrandt’s.

B．Botticelli’s.

C．Rubens’.