3 . Tips for creative thinking

People with improved creative thinking abilities can evaluate something or a product from a different angle. Even if you don’t typically think of yourself as creative, you can still learn a few techniques that enable you to approach objectives and challenges with a creative mindset.     1    .

Accept new undertakings (项目)

Creative thinkers are typically open to trying new things.     2    . So, try to create at least one technique when your manager assigns you a new project that is different from your typical work practices.

Listen to those around you

When you run into a particular problem, your team members can frequently help you come up with new solutions.     3    , where your team addresses various challenges. Your active listening, communication and creative thinking skills can all be enhanced by participating in these brainstorming sessions.

    4    

Changing your working method can inspire you to approach routine tasks in new ways. Each day, you might change how you carry out a particular task or gain more knowledge about a different department.

Ask new questions

    5    . Create a list of open-ended questions that you can use to probe (探究) a common issue. You can think about your processes and how you might be able to change them to increase your productivity by asking thoughtful questions.

A．Do one thing differently each day

B．Consider every option when you brainstorm

C．You can schedule routine brainstorming meetings

D．You might be dealing with a problem that is easily resolved

E．Use the following guideline to develop your creative thinking skills

F．By finishing new tasks, they can expand their knowledge in various fields

G．Consider changing the questions you ask rather than seeking out fresh solutions

4 . When I was forced to put up with my son’s sense of humor, which included turning every word he read onto his family members, the search was on. Could I, as a supportive and patient parent I attempt to be, find a right book for my son? A book that encourages my son to tell a joke that won’t have his mouth washed out with soap? I had to admit I wasn’t confident.

Now, I have a book Jake the Fake Keeps It Real at hand. In fact, Jake is not a perfect kid. The first book in the series, Jake the Fake Keeps It Real, opens with Jake’s explaining how he cheated on the admission of an arts and music academy for gifted kids.

So when Jake realizes that to fit in at art school, he has to come up with some strange ideas, I almost died laughing. Not only did I think that was funny, so did my son. As a matter of fact, Jake the Fake Keeps It Real turned out to be a great distraction (使人分心的事物) from my son’s being disrespectfully funny. And I would rather my son imitate Jake by chewing (咀嚼) the same piece of gum for six hours and then writing a play about it.

I succeeded in one thing: Finding a fittingly funny role model for my son.

The end of the book, chapter 13, where Jake, no-talented, has to perform in the school talent show (obviously if you blow it, you have to quit school and work on a fishing boat). Jake sits down at the piano and knows he can’t do it, so he stands up from the piano.

Here’s where the book really wins my son’s heart for life, because maybe one day, my son might say, as Jake says after his mother praises his talent show appearance and hugs him tightly, “She’s pretty cool sometimes, my mom.”

1. How did the author find her son’s humour?

A．Suitable.

B．Impolite.

C．Interesting.

D．Boring.

2. Who is Jake?

A．A gifted kid.	B．An honest boy.
C．The author’s son.	D．A character in a novel.

3. What does the underlined word “imitate” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Ignore.

B．Defeat.

C．Copy.

D．Entertain.

4. What’s the possible result of Jake?

A．He would be a good fisherman.	B．He would devote himself to music.
C．He might ask his teacher to forgive him.	D．He might be punished for his mistake.

5 . Four Dog-Friendly Vacation Spots to Explore

Vacations mean family time and if you are a pet parent, there’s no reason why you can’t take your dog with you. There are four dog-friendly vacation destinations in the US.

Portland, Oregon

This city has pet-friendly trails (小径) and 34 dog parks and one of the most popular dog parks is located in Mt Tabor Park. After playing with the other dogs, you and your fur baby can walk to the top of an inactive volcano and appreciate the view of the city and afterwards, you can have a picnic at the nearby reservoir.

Bar Harbor, Maine

This island town may be small in size but is very close to Acadia National Park. There are trails for you and your dog to hike and you can drive the Scenic Park Loop Road to the top of Cadillac Mountain for a breathtaking view. Dogs are welcome on the park buses and also on buses in the town.

Austin, Texas

The city is open to pets as well as dozens of restaurants. The Austin Terrier serves dog-themed sandwiches and pizza. You and your dog can go on a hike or bike ride on the 10-mile trail at Lady Bird Lake or you can rent a kayak (皮划艇) if your dog doesn’t mind getting wet. Just outside the city, you can explore the woods at the Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve.

Sedona, Arizona

In Sedona, you can visit Slide Rock State Park, a 43-acre space located just outside the city limits. Most of Sedona’s hiking trails allow dogs, so do campgrounds in the area. If you want to stay in the city, you can visit the dog park which has separate areas for small, large and senior dogs to play off leash (狗绳).

1. Where will you go if you want to walk to the top of an inactive volcano with your dog?

A．Sedona, Arizona.	B．Austin, Texas.
C．Bar Harbor, Maine.	D．Portland, Oregon.

2. What can your dog be allowed to do in Bar Harbor?

A．Get on a bus.	B．Play on a kayak.
C．Eat in a restaurant.	D．Visit Slide Rock State Park.

3. What do we know about Sedona?

A．It has a large state park in the downtown area.

B．Its campgrounds don’t allow pet dogs to enter.

C．It has a park that allows pet dogs to play freely.

D．Its hiking trails are only open to human beings.