1 . Sia Godika was 13 when she noticed the barefoot children of construction workers at a building site near her house in the upscale Koramangala district of Bangalore, India.
“Their feet were bare. Cracked. Hard. Dirty. Bleeding,” reflects Sia, now 17. “They were just walking around that construction site like it was an everyday practice for them.” And it was: In that moment, Sia realized the troubling contrast to her own privilege.
“I went back home, looked at my own feet and thought, Wow, I’m 13 years old. My feet are so tender. ” Then she gave her shoes away to the children. Later that year, with the help of her parents and community volunteers, Sia founded Sole Warriors, a charity dedicated to providing footwear to those in need, epitomized by its motto: “Donate a sole, save a soul.”
The idea, which started as a dinner conversation with her parents, quickly grew. After she spread the word with posters and WhatsApp groups, inquiries from people who wanted to help came flooding in. For months, Sia was juggling schoolwork and her new passion project.
Now in its fifth year, the organization runs distribution drives in which Sole Warriors collects used footwear, refurbishes (整修) it and donates the finished products to people in need. Today Sole Warriors gave out 28,000 pairs of shoes. But the organization’s growth wasn’t without its challenges. When it came to looking for collaborators, such as a company that would do the refurbishments free of charge, Sia faced one obstacle after another before finding a partner in India’s Pressto Cobbler.
In recognition of her impact, in 2021 Sia was given the Diana Award, given to people aged nine to 25 in memory of the late Princess of Wales. Awarded by a U.K. based charity of the same name, it’s one of the most prestigious honours a young person can receive for social action or humanitarian work. But her work isn’t done. “Our goal has always been to touch a million feet,” she says.
1. What inspired Sia to set up Sole Warriors?A.Sia loved collecting shoes. |
B.Children didn’t have beautiful shoes. |
C.Children at the construction site had no shoes. |
D.Children had to walk around the construction site. |
A.Uncared. | B.Strange. | C.Concerned. | D.Supportive. |
A.Make more shoes. |
B.Donate more shoes. |
C.Find more co-operation partners. |
D.Set up branches of the organization. |
A.Patient and clever. |
B.Kind and knowledgeable. |
C.Determined and warm-hearted. |
D.Adventurous and hard-working. |
2 . One of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Charles Duhigg published a new book, in which he concluded common characteristics of “supercommunicators”— people who are consistently able to create authentic connections with others just by listening and talking.
Prove we’re listening. There are plenty of ways to appear like you’re listening, like making eye contact or nodding intently. But proving to someone that you’re listening is the quickest road to making someone feel heard.
Ask the right questions. Ask follow-up questions that signal to the other person that you’re interested in the conversation, like “So did you make it on time?” or “What happened next?” Ask questions like people’s values, beliefs or experiences and spark an opportunity for emotional connection.
Aim to understand. The goal of a discussion isn’t to impress someone, convince someone or wait for their turn to speak. It’s to genuinely comprehend someone else’s point of view and share your own views accordingly. If people know you want to understand them, they’re going to want to understand you.
A.Realize what are the real questions. |
B.Do you want to be a supercommunicator? |
C.These deep questions get people to open up. |
D.It is not that easy to be a supercommunicators. |
E.Know what kind of conversation you’re having. |
F.That is actually the most magical thing that can happen. |
G.Ask someone a question first and then listen to their response. |
3 . Spreading kindness not only helps others feel better about themselves but also boosts the giver’s health and happiness, according to a study.
Giving seems to lower our blood pressure.
A recent study found that people who said they would donate money to help orphans were less sensitive to an electric shock than those who declined to give. According to the study, regions of the brain that react to painful stimulation appear to be instantly out of operation by the experience of giving.
Being kind seems to boost happiness.
Another study assigned people to three groups: the first group had to do an act of kindness each day; the second group tried a new activity each day; and the third group did nothing. The first two groups saw a significant boost in happiness.
“When doing an act of kindness, you’re making the world a better place,” said the Random Acts of Kindness foundation, which promotes kindness all year.
A.It’s a win-win for all |
B.Giving seems to lessen our pain |
C.You’ll experience even greater joy |
D.But consider being kind to yourself |
E.Being kind seems to contribute to our sense of community |
F.Giving donations to others has been shown to have that effect |
G.However, any kindness you give to others is also a gift to yourself |
4 . Robots have long been drawing inspiration from animals, with the creation of robot dogs or snake-shaped robots. And yet, the field of robotics is far less enthusiastic about the other kind of living things — plants. Barbara Mazzolai, an Italian roboticist owes this to a misconception about plant behavior: that they cannot move or think. “It’s not true at all,” she says. To challenge this view, Dr Mazzolai and her team recently launched a machine called “FiloBot”, a robot based on a climbing species.
To survive, a climbing plant must switch between several different behaviors. In forest environments, it must first grow out of the soil and travel along the ground in search of a support to hold onto, such as a nearby tree. Once a support is located, though, the plant fixes itself around the object and then growing towards the light. To choose the best angle to grow upwards, a climbing plant uses its shoots (芽) to receive information about light and gravity.
FiloBot has sensors on its main shoot. It can 3D-print its body with plastic and grow at a controllable rate. These functions, researchers found, enabled FiloBot to cross gaps, and find things to attach to. The lack of heavy on-board computing device means that it is light and requires minimal care, while its slow pace means that it doesn’t disturb things around it, making it possible to move through a complex, unseen environment, or monitoring disaster sites.
For now, FiloBot is still being tested. Its tendrils (卷须) have not left the laboratory. Still, it has already been employed in deconstructing plant behaviour. For example, it was long assumed that climbing plants find their supports by growing towards shade, though the exact mechanism was unclear. FiloBot could imitate this behaviour by detecting far-red light, which is typical of shaded areas, providing clues to how plants do it.
Dr Mazzolai hopes that such projects will inspire other roboticists to take their cues from plants and develop completely new technologies.
1. What does the misconception about plants in the field of robotics focus on?A.Their shapes. | B.Their diversity. |
C.Their body language. | D.Their capabilities. |
A.It moves quickly. | B.It has a solid metal body. |
C.It adapts to different environment. | D.It is attached to huge computers. |
A.The limitations of FiloBot. | B.The current use of FiloBot. |
C.The components of FiloBot. | D.The unique feature of FiloBot’s design. |
A.A Role Model for Robotics Research |
B.A Glimpse into the World of Robotics |
C.A Plant-Inspired Innovation in Robotics |
D.A Misunderstanding of the Plant Kingdom |
5 . Aptitude Tests Recommendations
Aptitude tests are helpful to job seekers of all ages. While career quizzes explore your values and work style, aptitude tests provide a more objective evaluation of your skills, helping you select a career you’re most likely to succeed in. Below are some of the best aptitude tests out there.
Clifton Strengths
The Clifton Strengths program was created based on research around leadership. The research in question pointed to common strengths among successful leaders, like strategic thinking, adaptability and communication. To complete the test, you must answer around 150 questions, each within 20 seconds. Allen Cheung, a tech blogger, notes that CliftonStrengths is more valuable than your average career test because it includes “tricky questions which aren’t as easily gamed”.
Red Bull Wingfinder
Developed and tested out by psychology experts, the Red Bull Wingfinder assesses your thinking under pressure. Questions include image sorting, logic puzzles and leadership-related questions. Once you complete the test, you’ll receive a nine-page report and career coaching tailored to your results.
SEI Development Report
The SEI Development Report is an extensive EQ aptitude test that has timed right-and-wrong answers that assess eight fundamentals, including emotional literacy, emotional management and empathy. At the end, you’ll receive a 20-page report with recommended courses on workplace EQ development.
CareerOneStop
While it only takes a few minutes to complete, the CareerOneStop Skills Assessment will help you rank both your technical and soft skills. The career suggestions at the end can be sorted by relevance, annual wages, and job outlook, coupled with with professional coaching or consultation improve your skills.
1. What do aptitude tests mainly assess for job seekers?A.Their work ethics. | B.Their career interest. |
C.Their preferred work style. | D.Their professional competence. |
A.It evaluates leadership skills. | B.It is developed by experts. |
C.It includes challenging questions. | D.It offers a comprehensive report. |
A.Clift on Strengths | B.Red Bull Wingfinder |
C.SEI Development Report | D.CareerOneStop |
I didn’t like Del so much. He always called me the nickname “Germy”, which meant “dirty”, instead of my real name “Jamie”. Besides, he was known as a trouble-maker in school. So when the head teacher Mr. Smith asked Del to come to his office, I naturally thought that Del had done something mean to someone. Through the window, I caught sight of a smaller boy crying. Del seemed unhappy, too.
He did not return to class that day. All of us were discussing what had happened to him. What else could such an annoying boy do? “He must have hit the boy and was sent home,” I whispered to my friends. Their eyes widened. It felt good to see them so interested in what I said.
The next morning, the whole school was talking about Del being expelled(开除) for beating up a kid. I was surprised that my assumptions were passed on so quickly. So when Del walked into the classroom, all the kids were shocked. The kids next to him shift ed their desks away. “What’s your problem?” Del asked. “I don’t want you to attack me,” one kid said. Some laughed. “Yeah, I might,” said Del. I could tell he was joking, but many kids thought he admitted he did beat up someone.
During recess(课间休息), Del tried to join the kickball game. “Neither team wants you,” one of the players said. “Why?” Del asked, looking confused. “I always play with you guys.” They ignored him and went on playing. Del sat by himself while the rest of the school enjoyed their recess away from him. Del looked lonely and sad, much different from before. I started to feel sorry for him.
Later that day, I learned what really happened. The kid was Del’s little brother and he was crying because their mother fell ill and was sent to hospital. I felt even sorrier for what I said before. I started a rumor(谣言).
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
At recess the next day, I saw Del sitting alone watching the kickball game.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Now that Del had forgiven me, I decided to do more before the recess was over.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 . When I was a child, the new year’s activity for my family is dumpling-making, but it’s been years since I’ve last experienced the uniquely carefree comfort and connection I felt during moments. My family has changed a lot, and gatherings like these simply don’t come together with the same ease as they once did.
This year, I came home in the evening to a dark house with pieces missing. I noticed things that I wouldn’t have before, like how my family slept earlier and got up later and how my dog had more trouble jumping up on my bed. After all, it’s easier to become blind to its subtle changes when you occupy it virtually every day of the year, and much harder when you must be exposed to months of accumulated change all at once.
Personally, the most precious childhood privilege is not the free extra snacks from flight attendants, but the privilege of thinking of the people and relationships around you with a sense of permanence. I mean this in the sense that it escaped my eight-year-old brain to think about how my parents were aging as I did or about the sacrifices they made for me until suddenly, I was an adult as they were.
I turn 20 in a couple months, so I’ve been seized with a feeling of adulthood, which feels far stronger than the transition into legal adulthood at 18 ever felt. It seems as if the “teen” part of“19”keeps me attached to the same category as the one my newly 13-year-old self occupied, carrying with it a certain comfort in the social allowances made for the immaturity inherent (固有的) to youth. But marching into 20 is different.
I’d so desperately wanted to move away and get a taste of independence upon starting college, but now I know that such freedom comes with loss and responsibility. Now I start to understand the governance of a circularity (循环) inherent to our lives and have a newfound appreciation for the things that remain the same.
1. What does the underlined word “subtle” in paragraph 2mean?A.Obvious. | B.Sudden. | C.Unusual. | D.Unnoticeable. |
A.Everything would be the same. | B.His parents were becoming old. |
C.Free extra snacks were common. | D.His parents had done a lot to him. |
A.Physical maturity. | B.The social expectation. |
C.The loss of freedom. | D.The shift into legal adulthood. |
A.A newfound appreciation for life. | B.The difference between teens and adults. |
C.My passing memories of childhood. | D.My reflection on the switch into adulthood. |
8 . Art Appreciation
Art appreciation is an often overlooked skill. It’s more than simply looking at a piece of art and judging it based on what we see. It requires us to look deeper, beyond the surface into the artist’s intention.
The first step is to prepare yourself mentally. Before you begin viewing any artwork, take moments to clear your mind of what a piece you think should look like.
Besides, examine the artwork closely. Take note of its elements mentioned above. Consider how these elements work together to convey meaning or emotion in the piece. Notice how the work makes you feel.
Last but not least, sharing opinions on art also helps. Try discussing your thoughts on artwork with friends or family who may have different opinions. Taking the diverse understanding into consideration, you can approach viewing art work from different viewpoints. As a result, you can gain a new appreciation every time you look at it.
A.Relevant research counts as well. |
B.Engage all your senses and ask yourself questions. |
C.The process can bring you a fun and educational trip. |
D.Leave your feelings aside and check out the questions. |
E.To sum up, communication can also do good to your art appreciation. |
F.With the previous ideas, you can get well prepared for the appreciation. |
G.This will help you open up to different perspectives when exploring the work. |
Edward and Stephen were both eighteen years old. They were so together in friendship that they felt themselves to be brothers. They had known each other since childhood, growing up in the same block in Liverpool.
Edward was fair and lean, while Stephen was dark and short. Edward’s brown hair was always falling over his eyes, while Stephen wore his black hair in a natural style.
Each youngster had a dream of someday becoming champion of the world. Whenever they had time, the boys worked out at the Fencing (击剑) Club. Early morning sunrises would find them running along the Mersey River, wrapped in sweatshirts, with short towels around their necks.
Edward and Stephen studied hard and dreamt positively. Between them, they had a notebook filled with torn tickets of every fencing match they had ever attended. They each had taken part in many elimination bouts (淘汰赛) and had won many gold medals. The difference was in their style.
As fencers, Edward’s lean form and long reach made him better in attack, while Stephen’s short and muscular frame made him speed y in movement. Whenever they had met in the piste (击剑台), it had always been intense and competitive.
After a series of elimination bouts, they were informed that they were to meet each other in the finals next month —the winner to represent the Club in the Championship Tournament.
Fencing was like any other profession. The two boys knew friendship had nothing to do with it. But how would the competition affect their relationship? Everyday they continued to run together along the Mersey River. However, while joking with each other, they both sensed an invisible wall rising between them.
The day before the finals, they met as usual for their daily workout. After a mile or so, Stephen stopped.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“I think we both got something to say to each other.” Stephen said.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As the two went onto the piste, the audience held their breath.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10 . “If after the first 50 pages of a book you don’t get engaged, you’re allowed to stop reading and try again later when you feel ready for it,” my father told me.
My father holds this
I don’t think my father
I like this advice “reading first 50 pages”, for the generosity and respect it extends to a book’s
I particularly like the
Even when I’m more than ready to stop reading by page 50,
A.warning | B.request | C.guarantee | D.advice |
A.debate | B.escape | C.beg | D.protest |
A.trend | B.view | C.urge | D.influence |
A.dared | B.forgot | C.hesitated | D.intended |
A.invite | B.write | C.drop | D.support |
A.safely | B.quickly | C.indirectly | D.personally |
A.reader | B.author | C.editor | D.publisher |
A.patience | B.luck | C.help | D.grace |
A.finish | B.teach | C.love | D.stop |
A.referring to | B.talking about | C.connecting with | D.commenting on |
A.strong | B.gentle | C.honest | D.timely |
A.recognition | B.duty | C.pity | D.wonder |
A.thus | B.just | C.then | D.still |
A.unless | B.because | C.once | D.before |
A.sign | B.rule | C.question | D.goal |