1 . Most people fail to achieve their goals because somewhere along the line, they lose focus.     1     And eventually, they give up on their goals. Does this sound familiar to you? Don’t worry. Here are 3 simple techniques you can use to prevent yourself from losing focus on your goals.

    2     All too often, many people make the mistake and believe that the more goals they have, the better. This is wrong. Once, researchers conducted an experiment about the choices of jams and the number of sales. They discovered that the more choices of jams they provided for shoppers, the fewer sales they got. The more options you have, the less likely you can focus better. Therefore, focus on just ONE.

The second technique you can use is this - commit to taking small steps. Success isn’t going to happen overnight. Success is the accumulation of many small steps.     3     It will only make you suffer. Instead, commit to doing a minimum number such as 30 push-ups every day, and then increase gradually.     4     it lowers the resistance, and you are more likely to take action.

The third method is to focus on progress, not results. This is one of the most important distinctions between someone successful and someone who is not. Successful people understand that progress is key, not results.     5     On the contrary, unsuccessful people focus only on getting the result. Whenever they don’t get the result they want, they feel bad, frustrated, and lose their motivation, which eventually makes them give up on their goals.

If you apply these methods, you too, can maintain your focus and reach your goals, slowly, but surely.

A．Dream big and set big goals to inspire you.

B．They get distracted and then they stop taking action.

C．Make sure you focus fully on just ONE goal at a time.

D．They just want to get the work done and push forward.

E．When you make an effort to develop your ability to focus,

F．When you focus on getting started and taking small steps,

G．You don’t have to commit to doing 100 push-ups every day.

2 . The Arctic Could be Practically “ice-free”

The Arctic could have summer days with practically no sea ice within the next decade due to emissions (排放) from fossil fuels (化石燃料), a study has found.

This would transform the unique habitat, home to polar bears, seals and walruses, from a “white Arctic” to a “blue Arctic” during the summer months, scientists said.

The report defined (定义) “ice-free” as less than 1m sq km of ice, in which case the Arctic Ocean would be mostly water.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, suggest the first ice-free day in the Arctic could occur more than 10 years earlier than previously predicted.

The authors said continuously ice-free Septembers could be expected by 2035 to 2067, depending on fossil fuel emissions. By the end of the century, there was potential for ice-free conditions between May and January under a high-emission scenario (可能发生的情况), and August to October under a low-emission scenario.

Alexandra Jahn, a lead author of the research, said: “This would transform the Arctic into a completely different environment. But even if ice-free conditions are unavoidable, we still need to keep our emissions as low as possible to avoid prolonged (长期的) ice-free conditions.”

There was, however, potential to fix this issue, she said. “Unlike the ice sheet in Greenland that took thousands of years to build, even if we melt all the Arctic sea ice, if we can then figure out how to take CO₂ back out of the atmosphere in the future to reverse (逆转) warming, sea ice will come back within a decade,” Jahn said.

1. According to the study, when could the Arctic experience its first ice-free summer day?

A．By the end of this decade.	B．Within the next 10 years.
C．From 2035 to 2067.	D．By the end of the century.

2. What would happen if the Arctic became ice-free during summer months?

A．The Arctic habitat would remain unchanged.

B．The Arctic would still be friendly to polar animals.

C．The Arctic would be a “blue Arctic” in summer.

D．The Arctic would remain frozen throughout the year.

3. What would Alexandra Jahn probably agree with?

A．Ice-free conditions are avoidable.

B．The Arctic would under go no transformation.

C．Emissions ought to be reduced.

D．Prolonged ice-free conditions are certain to occur.

4. How does Alexandra Jahn feel about dealing with the Arctic warming?

A．Hopeful.

B．Indifferent.

C．Pessimistic.

D．Uninterested.

3 . Coined by domestic (国内的) media as “deliveryman by day, poet by night,” 55-year-old Wang Jibing brings home the bacon by working as a delivery person in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. Meanwhile, his passion for poetry has driven him to write over 4,000 poems. He also came under the spotlight as his name was on the 2023 list of new members for the Chinese Writers Association.

Born in a rural area, and dropping out of secondary school, Wang tried various jobs, from a construction worker, working on sand mining boats to a garbage collector, yet he never stop reading and writing. While Wang gained likes from readers of the same mind, it wasn’t until ChenZhaohua, the former CEO of sohu. com, shared one of his poems on China’s social media plat form Sina Weibo that he gained wider popularity.

“The ones that race with time don’t have four seasons. They have one station and the next. The world is only the name of a place. Wang Family Village is the same.” read the poem shared by Chen. Titled “People in a Hurry,” it gathered more than 13 million views within a week.

Wang gained inspiration for the poem from an unpleasant food delivery experience in 2019. Due to a wrong address given by the consumer, he had to rush several times to get the food delivered on time, leading to delays with other orders, as well as penalties (处罚) and a decrease in his earnings.

Reflecting memories of his family and hometown, observations of society and life while working as a laborer (劳动者) and conveying simplicity, reality and sincerity, Wang’s poems capture the simple joy and sadness of common people, tugging at the heartstrings of tens of thousands of ordinary people just like him.

1. What is Wang jibing’s job to earn a living?

A．A poet	B．A delivery man
C．A writer	D．An Internet influencer

2. What makes Wang popular overnight?

A．He received a good education.

B．He gained tons of likes from readers.

C．He became a member of the Chinese Writers Association.

D．His poem was shared by Chen on Sina Weibo.

3. What does the impact of the order delay imply?

A．There’s unfairness in food delivery industry.	B．The delivery person is irresponsible and slow.
C．The effect of an order delay is severe.	D．The consumer should take the blame.

4. What do the underlined words “tugging at the heartstrings” mean in paragraph 5?

A．Arousing strong feelings.	B．Creating smooth music.
C．Pulling on ordinary people’s hearts.	D．Causing tension among people.

4 . A television writer is responsible for writing scripts (剧本) for television shows. There are numerous types of shows to which a TV writer can contribute his or her talents.     1     A scriptwriter often writes stories for television dramas, comedies, and soap operas.

Some television writers start out as assistants before working their way up to filling writing positions on shows.     2     As a television writer, success requires a combination of talent, hard work, and determination.

    3     Depending on their role and the show they are working on, they might work individually in the writers’ room or other remote locations. They also spend time on the set, working closely with the production team and actors to ensure the scripts are brought to life as intended.

A television writer might develop their material using a variety of methods. This involves researching and gathering information to ensure the show is accurate and true. A piece of advice given by professionals is to watch all kinds of TV shows. TV writers should note which ones are successful.     4    

A formal college degree is usually not required to be a television writer as educational requirements vary by positions. Writing talent and practical work experience are generally considered just as valuable as a college degree. There are numerous opportunities to learn how to be a TV writer.     5     Continuing education opportunities are also suggested as well as reading reviews and comments.

A．Job titles of a TV writer can change.

B．The workplace of a TV writer can vary.

C．So they learn from them and accept suggestions to create better work.

D．It’s helpful to be located in cities known for their television production.

E．Many TV writers read books and begin self-study to improve their skills.

F．For instance, a TV writer can be a journalist, focusing on news programs.

G．Others may work in other areas, such as film or theater, before turning to television.

5 . I had always struggled with my body weight since my childhood. Though I was the one who wore a women’s size 16 dress. I had never been teased or bullied (欺凌) in my school thanks to the help of my best friends.

After I started to work, I decided to join the gym with my colleague. At the gym, I stepped on the scale to weigh myself. and when 170 pounds hit on the scale, it was the most terrifying moment. I thought after a few months of going to the gym and doing rigorous (严格的) works I would come down to 150 pounds. However, owing to the work stress and lack of time. I had to drop out of my journey.

In 2015, I went to a gym again and began my weight loss journey — one that lasted for 12 months and concluded with me losing 20 more pounds so that I could be a bridesmaid (伴娘) of my best friend. I could hit 130 pounds on the scale. Sure I lost some pounds in the journey, however, when I again went to my old habits. I regained all the weight that I had lost.

The day I reached my weight back to 150 pounds thanks to all the pizzas, sodas and junk foods. I was set on fire with motivation to change my life. Just as I’d done for the past few years. I again started to go back to the gym this time with determination and healthier eating.

A little over a year after I’d started. I stepped on the same scale I’d first weighed myself on. I hit 110 pounds on the scale. It was the most transformative experience of my life — and not simply in the ways one might expect.

Even now, when I feel my confidence flagging (衰落) or self-doubt creeping in, I think back to having successfully finished that, and I can draw strength.

1. Why did the author stop going to the gym for the first time?

A．She was already satisfied with her weight.	B．She had to devote her time to her work.
C．She didn’t experience any weight loss.	D．She was laughed at by others.

2. What problem did the author face after managing to lose some weight?

A．She lost confidence in herself	B．She became too busy to work out.
C．She developed some new bad habits.	D．She had difficulty keeping weight off.

3. What can we learn about the author after her weight loss experience?

A．She could be at self-doubt.	B．She expected to help others.
C．She lost interest in going to the gym.	D．She cared more about her appearance.

4. What message does the author’s story want to tell us?

A．It’s important to live a full life.	B．We should always focus on our weight.
C．We should try our best to change our life.	D．It requires determination to keep a healthy lifestyle.

6 . Help us create an eco-paradise

We are Ami + Elise. We live in a little corner of paradise, deep in the forest. We are seeking folks who would like to get involved and help us regenerate this small area of land (19 acres) to support a biodiverse ecosystem, grow food and help people rewild themselves. This project will need lots of help from both “skilled” and “unskilled” lovely people.

Help needed
·Gardening ·Building ·General maintenance
·Farming ·Help with the eco-project
·Help in the house ·Animal care
Working Time & Meals

We ask for a minimum of 4 hours per day of your time in return for free stay and breakfast. We can also offer full board (膳食) for those who want to work a full day. We are very flexible and can adapt days/times for each helper as people will be coming for various amounts of time. We will host you at no cost and provide breakfast (at a minimum) and some vegetables from the garden when available.

Accommodation

We have a few different options for accommodation. Where you will stay will depend on availability at the time as we may have others here. In warm weather, we have a very basic outdoor shower and for the cooler months the shower in our home can be used. We will share some meals together and hope to make new friends and connect with like-minded people in the process, sharing our stories and skills with each other (probably round the campfire when the weather permits).

Getting here

The closest airport is the Birmingham airport.

If you take public transport, our closest train station is Cynghordy (10 mins drive from us) or Llandovery (20 mins drive from us). We are happy to pick you up and drop you off at the station and shops when needed.

If you drive yourself, we’ll provide you with detailed directions as we are deep in the forest.

1. What kind of helpers does the project need?

A．People with various skills.

B．People good at training wild animals.

C．People fond of agricultural work.

D．People aiming to set up eco-projects.

2. How can people get three meals a day for free?

A．By working 4 hours at least.

B．By putting in a full day’s work.

C．By helping with the gardening.

D．By setting flexible working hours.

3. What service can people get from the hosts?

A．They can be dropped off at the airport.

B．They can choose where they like to live.

C．They can share a room with like-minded people.

D．They can be picked up at the train station.

7 . Benefits of Keeping a Budget (预算)

A budget allows you to spend money on things you really need or want.

A budget requires you to keep track of your expenses. You see where your money actually goes and plan where to cut back on spending. The money you used to spend daily on little things like coffee or taxis can go toward something more important.

A budget can keep you out of debt.

With a budget, you know whether or not you’re living within your means. If you use credit cards, this may not be obvious. You might have extra cash at the end of each month and think that you’re OK. But, if you’re not paying your credit card bills in full, you’re probably living beyond your means.

A budget can make you better prepared for emergencies (紧急情况).

A budge requires you to put your money away in savings. So, if you find yourself in a difficult situation or faced with unexpected expenses, you’ll have some extra money you can fall back on.

A budget gives you peace of mind.

Because it allows you to stop worrying about how you’re going to make ends meet.

1. Which of the following is the benefit of keeping a budget?

A．Spending money on anything.	B．Keeping others in your debt.
C．Giving you peace of mind.	D．Living beyond your means.

2. Why is it important to keep track of your expenses according to the article?

A．You can know how much you make.	B．You can stop worrying about money.
C．You can fall back on some extra money.	D．You can see where your money goes.

3. Why can using credit cards be a problem according to the article?

A．You are living within your means when growing up.

B．You may be spending more money than you’re earning.

C．You can be told how much you need to spend at university.

D．You can put some extra cash away in savings tomorrow.

8 . Since the pandemic (流行病) hit, we’re on video calls more than ever before, and many are finding it extremely tiring.

Being on a video call requires more focus than a face-to-face chat, says Gianpiero Petriglien, an associate professor at Insead. Video chats mean we need to work harder to process facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, and body language: paying more attention to these consumes a lot of energy. “Our minds are together when our bodies feel we’re not. That causes people to have conflicting (互相冲突) feelings, and i: is exhausting You cannot relax into the conversation naturally.” he says.

“Silence is another challenge.” he adds. “Silence creates a natural rhythm in a real-life conversation. However, when it happens in a video call, you become anxious about the technology.” It also makes people uncomfortable. One 2014 study by German Scholars showed that delays (延迟) on phone or conferencing systems shaped our unpleasant views of people: even delays of 1.2 seconds made people regard the responder as less friendly or focused.

An added factor, says Marissa Shulffer, an associate professor at Clemson University, is that if we are physically on camera, we are very aware of being watched. “When you’re on a video conference, you knew everybody’s looking at you; you are on stage, so there comes the social pressure and feeling like you need to perform. Being performative is nerve-wracking.” It’s also very hard for people not to look at their own face if they can see it on screen, or not to be conscious (有意识的) of how they behave in front of the camera.

Both experts suggest limiting video calls to those that are necessary. Turning on the camera should be optional and is general there should be more understanding that cameras do not always have to be on throughout teach meeting. Having your screen off to the side, instead of straight ahead, could also help your concentration, particularly in group meetings, says Petriglien. It makes you feel like you’re in a next-door room, so you may be less bring.

1. What does Gianpiero Petriglien think of video calls?

A．They need more concentration.	B．They go on more naturally.
C．They are more relaxing.	D．They take longer time.

2. What makes people uncomfortable according to the 2014 study?

A．Facial expressions.	B．Occasional silence.
C．Processing body language	D．Not receiving a timely reply

3. What does the underlined word “nerve-wracking” in Paragraph 4mean?

A．Causing excitement.	B．Causing disappointment.
C．Making one feel nervous.	D．Making one feel surprised.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．The convenience of video chats.	B．Why video chats are so exhausting.
C．The development of mobile phones.	D．What technological development brings

9 . —______! A small boy is rushing out from the corner.
—How dangerous! I’ve almost knocked him down.

A．Look out

B．What a pity

C．No way

D．Keep cool

10 . Eating a small snack can give me a little ______ to get through the day, so I always carry some in my bag.

A．energy

B．advice

C．information

D．space