1 . A new book makes the argument for being a careful kind of writer, even in informal, throwaway messages. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink are behavioral scientists, both at Harvard. Their Writing for Busy Readers is cleverly titled: all readers are busy nowadays. They present well-established principles that have long been prized in guides to writing including The Economist's style book: cut unnecessary words, choose those that remain from the vocabulary everyone knows and keep sentence structure simple. But Writing for Busy Readers brings evidence.
Take “less is more”. Most books on writing well advise readers to cut needless words. The authors, however, have tested the principle. For example, in an email to thousands of school board members asking them to take a survey, cutting the length from 127 to 49words almost doubled the response rate. The same applies to text messages. In another experiment, a shorter message inviting parents to take the survey got more responses.
Besides word-count, sentence structure and word choice are covered in the book. Short and active sentences, with common words, are best. The authors' other point s are less about writing than about design and information al packaging. Bullet points (项目符号), headings and formatting for emphasis are good—when used with care. But mixing up different forms of emphasis like highlighting, bold and italics (粗体和斜体的) is the “equal of a peanut butter, ham and Gorgonzola sandwich on banana bread: this combination adds up to an unpleasant, off-putting whole”.
If everyone is a busy reader, everyone is a busy writer, too. That may make it appealing to fire off as many messages as quickly as possible and hope for the best. But from essays to text messages organizing dinner plans, devoting time to the needs of readers has provable benefits. If you are so busy that you write an undisciplined message that readers ignore and delete, then you might as well have not written it at all.
1. What could be inferred from paragraph 1 about Writing for Busy Readers?| A．It lays down principles for busy readers. | B．It approaches writing as a science. |
| C．It advocates writing simply. | D．It is aimed at title writing. |
| A．It advises readers to cut needless words. | B．It has adopted an evidence-based approach. |
| C．It has overturned established writing principles. | D．It promotes the use of common words. |
| A．They should be combined in use. | B．They could bring undesired effects. |
| C．They matter less than sentence structure. | D．They are key to informational packaging. |
| A．Prioritize readers. | B．Try to polish the writing. |
| C．Disregard word-count. | D．Learn to change styles. |
2 . I've been conducting scientific research with experts who specialise in advanced microscopy (显微镜观察) at Nottingham University for more than ten years. But I'm not a scientist—I'm an artist and lecture r in illustration.
Despite their importance in education and society, science and art are often seen as distinct fields, which, in my opinion, restricts beneficial connections. I want to facilitate these connections by helping to make sense of scientists' work for a wider audience through my own work as an artist. I have seen the enormous potential that exists when scientists and artists work together.
Like advanced imaging specialists, I am absorbed in light, colour, technology and science. When I discovered the Wellcome Trust's Sci-Art project in 1998, its belief—to facilitate connections that produce art directly inspired by science—encouraged me to seek out life scientists to collaborate (协作) with, because the methods we employ to create images are connected.
Advanced microscopy is used to observe cells that the naked eye (裸眼) cannot see, while being as gentle as possible on the object being examined. My work focuses on the imaging potential of the biomedical data revealed through advanced microscopy. This artistic expression of scientists’ data can provide them with tools for showing their work in a different way to a different audience. For example, I work with scientists while they conduct image experiments, to discover how and why they generate image data of cell behaviour.
Inspired by watching these scientists at work I create data pictures, seeing unique patterns, wonderful colours and movement through layers of skin at this carefully enlarged size. I then display my artwork along with advanced microscopy photographs at scientific conferences to compare results and highlight the aesthetic (类学的) potential of scientific data from an artist's viewpoint.
I've worked with four science labs since 2010. Over a decade of combining science and art, I've discovered three major advantages to such collaborations. The variety of collaborations increased my appreciation for technical advances in scientific visualisation. They inspire both scientists and artists to think creatively. They contribute to making science more accessible to the general public.
1. What role does the author play between science and art?| A．A judge. | B．A promoter. | C．A guard. | D．A leader. |
| A．It inspired her to become a life scientist. | B．It strengthened her belief in sharing and caring. |
| C．It got her to approach scientists for cooperation. | D．It generated her interest in light and colour. |
| A．Collecting the biomedical data. | B．Keeping track of cell behaviour. |
| C．Conducting image experiments. | D．Presenting data in an artistic manner. |
| A．Every science lab should have an artist on the team |
| B．It takes time to facilitate scientist-artist collaborations |
| C．Advanced microscopy inspires scientists to think critically |
| D．Science should contribute to a variety of new art techniques |
3 . If you’ve scrolled through your Facebook feed recently, you may have noticed something surprising: lots and lots of short videos.
What makes this “Reels” feature strange is that it is hugely addictive, which I know quite well from my own personal experience. Last Friday, I took a break and hit on one short clip of someone making dinner and, well, the next time I looked up it was 20 minutes later and the blank document on my computer monitor was confirming to me that my work was still not done.
However, as silly as it seems, Reels-is actually super important, and is at the centre of a major battle between the world’s largest tech firms. The format (格式) was first pioneered by TikTok-the Chinese-owned video app that has taken the world by storm since it launched in 2016. Today, TikTok has around 23 million UK users every month-including basically every person you know under the age of 25. And that fact has made Facebook and its parent company, Meta, very nervous indeed. As TikTok has continued to boom, Facebook has actually fallen in popularity among “Gen Z”. The reason Tik Tok has proven such a powerful challenger to Facebook’s social media dominance is almost entirely down to these sorts of short-form videos.
The format is almost perfectly optimised to be as addictive as possible: Tik Tok’s app shows you a short-form video, and if you don’t like it, you can simply swipe it away and another one will start playing instantly. And because it is portrait, not landscape, videos look “right” when viewed on your phone. What’s also smart is that TikTok’s algorithm (算法) picks videos for you based on what you actually watch, and not what you say you want.
Facebook isn’t the only app trying to do what TikTok does so well. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta, has integrated Reels even more aggressively into its app. And even Google is nervous, launching its own TikTok-style video section of YouTube(which it owns)a couple of years ago. As things stand, though TikTok currently maintains a healthy lead in the category, both YouTube and Facebook have deep pockets-so expect to see even more Reels and Shorts popping up in your feed as this intense battle continues to rage. You won’t be able to take your eyes off them.
1. Why did the author mention his own experience in paragraph 2?| A．To illustrate the feature of short videos. |
| B．To stress the importance of short videos. |
| C．To prove his preference to short videos. |
| D．To introduce the functions of short videos. |
| A．It has shown the trend of the fall in popularity among “Gen Z”. |
| B．It is perceived as a potential threat to Facebook’s social media dominance. |
| C．Its number of registered UK users has reached 23 million since it launched in 2016. |
| D．It underestimates the essential role of short videos in competition with large tech firms. |
| A．The beautiful visual effects. |
| B．The high video quality. |
| C．The random recommendation. |
| D．The quick switch between videos. |
| A．The short videos have a profound impact on our daily life. |
| B．TikTok seems to be losing its advantage over short videos in the short run. |
| C．YouTube and Facebook may encounter financial difficulties in developing Shorts. |
| D．A growing number of tech firms have engaged in fierce competition for the short video market. |
4 . How to overcome travel anxiety
Stress and anxiety around documents and procedures of travel is common. Here are some tips from experts on how to overcome travel anxiety and enjoy your holiday or trip.
Plan out your trip details. One of the reasons for your travel anxiety is that you’re being taken out of your comfort zone and won’t have full control over everything.
Make use of different relaxation techniques.
Have things with you that bring you joy. These can include physical item s like a book to read, or a game to play. It can be extremely useful in distracting you from your negative feelings. Alternatively, you can create a playlist of songs you love or have your favourite TV show with you.
Don’t forget your physical health. Being physically active is a great way to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
| A．Brainstorm various kinds of anxiety. |
| B．Understand where your anxiety originates. |
| C．Frankly speaking, negative feelings can’t be avoided. |
| D．Make sure to incorporate physical activity in your days. |
| E．Deep breathing is a technique proven to help reduce stress. |
| F．They will keep your mind occupied, decreasing your feelings of anxiety. |
| G．To help ease that anxious feeling, try to plan out your trip in as much detail as possible. |
5 . Out in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 60 miles off the northwest coast of Africa, lie the Canary Islands. In the 1950s, the boom in package tourism showed promise as a new cash crop. But while the Canary Islands had the sunshine, warm climate and ease of access from Europe needed for this new industry, they were missing a vital element picture postcard sandy beaches.
So the developers on Tenerife in the Canary Islands constructed a breakwater (防波堤) over half a mile long. And then, from the Western Sahara on Africa’s northwest coast, they shipped in 270, 000 tons of sand. By 1973, the project was complete. As anticipated, tourists arrived. Along the engineered beach, rows and rows of tourists relax on beach chairs under umbrellas or walk across soft sand to cool down in the water.
Unanticipated was what their presence gave to one of the world’s most endangered fish species, angel sharks — visibility. The gentle wind creates tiny waves on the water’s surface, a magical cover for what lies beneath — an angel shark nursery. Female angel sharks regularly migrate to these ideally sheltered waters to give birth to pups (幼崽), who remain in the shallows for about a year. Feeding on small fishes, they grow to around the same length as a newborn human baby.
Surveys have shown that other beaches in the Canary Islands are also potential nursery sites. Interestingly, most of them have been remade to make them more attractive to people. Playa Chica has another long sweep of imported sand. It’s an attraction for divers as well as angel sharks, so the number of sightings of mature angel sharks of this shoreline is one of highest in the islands.
Normally, massive, environmentally disruptive projects are bad for wildlife. But what’s clear is that after the breakwater was built and the sand arrived, people followed, and in the calm, shallow waters they began to see baby angel sharks. And unlike how many an association between humans and wildlife ends-in conflict and dead animals, this time it led to conservation.
1. Why did the developers on Tenerife carry out the project?| A．To build a base for shipping. | B．To boost the local tourism industry. |
| C．To fight against the rising sea. | D．To protect the island’s eco-system. |
| A．It caused the disappearance of some fishes. |
| B．It made a magical tourist attraction. |
| C．It gave angel sharks a home. |
| D．It created conflicts between sharks and tourists. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Intolerant. |
| A．To highlight the financial benefits of tourism. |
| B．To introduce potential human-wildlife coexistence. |
| C．To explain the situation of endangered species. |
| D．To emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation. |
6 . Random acts of kindness can affect people’s well-being significantly more than expected, according to an August study co-authored by a University of Texas researcher. Based on experiments ranging from giving someone a cup of hot chocolate to delivering cupcakes in the park, the recently published study found that random acts of kindness affected both the giver and receiver significantly more than anticipated. The researchers conducted a total of eight experiments involving students to assess the effects of the acts.
Amit Kumar, the study’s co-author and an assistant marketing and psychology professor at UT, said that although researchers know kindness significantly improves a person’s well-being, people underestimate the effect it will have on the receiver. “One of the interesting questions becomes why people often don’t act in ways that are likely to make them feel better,” said Kumar. “What we were interested in studying here was this belief that these seemingly small pro-social acts can actually make a significant difference in people’s lives.”
Kumar said because people underestimate the positive effects of these acts, more often than not, people don’t perform them.
One of the experiments included UT students engaging in an exercise in which they performed different acts of kindness for others, such as baking cookies or offering a peer a ride home, and then filled out a questionnaire afterward. At the same time, the recipients were contacted and asked how they felt. The researchers found that in all of the experiments, both the recipients and performers ended up in better moods than normal after the act.
Co-author Nicholas Epley said the research is part of a broader research program of people avoiding human connection and not reaching out to others despite its positive impact.
“People do act in line with their expectations, but those expectations can be off,” Kumar said. “If you’re underestimating the positive impact that you’re having on other people, that can prevent you from being kinder more often in daily life,” Kumar remarked. He hopes this research helps people become more aware of their impact on others and be kind when they have the opportunity.
1. What did the recently published study find about random acts of kindness?| A．They affect the giver more than the receiver. |
| B．They affect the receiver more than the giver. |
| C．They are good for interpersonal relationships. |
| D．They can greatly affect people’s happiness. |
| A．Negative. | B．Kind. | C．Dangerous. | D．Active. |
| A．People escaping human contact. | B．People showing random kindness. |
| C．The positive impact of kindness. | D．The importance of human connection. |
| A．Realizing the power of your kindness. |
| B．Acting in line with expectations. |
| C．Having a good opportunity. |
| D．Reaching out to others. |
7 . How To Find Spring Fashion Trends
Fashion changes faster than most people can keep up with.
Look through fashion magazines to get fashion ideas. Magazines like GQ, Vogue, and Cosmo are generally considered “taste makers”.
Find your favorite fashion blogs. What’s on the catwalk isn’t necessarily what’s on the streets, so I also like getting inspiration from travel blogs, fashion blogs, and smaller designers. Many brands, designers, and fashionistas post their inspiration online, as well as recommendations on where to find the best new fashions.
Explore social media. More and more often, people are using the Internet to broadcast their personal fashion recommendations, which is a great way to get a pulse on spring fashion. Sites like Tumblr and Pintrest have specific sections devoted to fashion.
Make your own spring trends. Having confidence in yourself and rocking your outfit is more important than following any trend. Sometimes you still can’t figure out what spring fashion trend to follow.
| A．Make notes of fashions you see often |
| B．Look to warmer areas for inspiration |
| C．They are selling the right clothes for the right season |
| D．Find an outfit you like and make up your own trend |
| E．They are in touch with the big clothing designers |
| F．Spring is often when people launch new and inventive fashion for the warming weather |
| G．Search “Spring Fashion Blogs” and browse through a few to see styles you enjoy |
8 . Kevin Mills grew up in Guelph, Ontario. He was athletic. He enjoyed biking, scuba diving, rock climbing, and track. As an adult on vacation in Cuba, he went swimming in the ocean. A wave pounded him to the ocean floor. The accident injured his spine.
Mr. Mills was paralyzed below the neck.
Ms. Davenport suggested biking across Canada. “It’s something I always wanted to do,” Mr. Mills says. He just didn’t think it was possible On May 24, Mr. Mills dipped (浸一下) his tires in the ocean in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
In his public speaking, Mr. Mills said he had a big fear around the trip — the Rockies. Climbing mountains with his bike was difficult. He was also worried about the descent (下坡). However, he forced himself to overcome the fear. At last, Mr. Mills said modestly, “
| A．That was the start of his journey |
| B．He tried to move his arms and shoulders bit by bit |
| C．I want to raise money and awareness for cancer and other diseases |
| D．He learned to steer a motorized wheelchair using tiny head movements |
| E．I want people with disabilities to see me out there biking and maybe get inspired to do something |
| F．One is a backup in case something breaks down |
| G．Still, the pair has faced challenges |
9 . In summer, Stefano Piraino was stepping along the rocky shoreline, when he spotted a washed-up jellyfish. Later, he tore off a piece and popped it in his mouth. It was salty, crunchy and crispy from the sun. “It was very tasty,” remembers Piraino, a zoologist. After a few days of lying on the shore their stinging (刺) cells are deactivated, Piraino explains. Still, he prevented anyone from eating jellyfish straight out of the sea, because raw jellyfish contains germs that can cause food poisoning.
Recently, there have been numerous reports of jellyfish blooms—seasonal events where there is a large and sudden increase in jellyfish numbers. These population explosions destroy the balance of ocean ecosystems, and have the potential to harm biodiversity and reduce fish stocks.
Some scientists, such as Piraino, believe one solution is broadening our ability to appreciate the taste and flavor. He suggests that since the world is in urgent need of sustainable food resources, one way to achieve this is to attempt to integrate new foods into traditional recipes and local cuisine. Jellyfish is already eaten across Asia. In China, Jellyfish have been eaten for more than 1,000 years, with jellyfish salad a popular delicacy. Not only are they high in protein, but the microalgae (海蜇) inside the cells of some jellyfish are rich in fatty acids.
However, despite their appeal to adventurous Western diners, jellyfish are not a straight substitution for fish, or other sources of protein. For one thing, jellyfish are 95% water, with the remaining 5% containing the nutritious essentials. Their nutrition to mass proportions means they’re a fairly inefficient source of protein. “There is probably more functional in them as a type of collagen (胶原蛋白) rather than protein,” says Jonathan Houghton, a senior lecturer in marine biology. “But certainly not as a replacement for fish, as that is several orders of magnitude greater as a potential food source.” There are a number of companies already using jellyfish as a substitute for cow and pig collagen, which is often used in medical treatments for humans. One British company says collagen from jellyfish offers a better alternative, because their collagen is in harmony with a wide variety of human cell types.
1. Why does Piraino warn people not to eat jellyfish directly from the sea?| A．Because they are too salty to digest. | B．Because their stinging cells are still working. |
| C．Because they contain harmful bacteria. | D．Because they are tasteless when raw. |
| A．irrelevant | B．ineffective | C．immature | D．unavailable |
| A．Reducing the reproduction of jellyfish. |
| B．Combining the jellyfish food with traditional diet. |
| C．Substituting for fish or other sources of protein. |
| D．Limiting urgent need of sustainable food resources. |
| A．Having a seafood feast? Here is the recipe. |
| B．Unhealthy! Raw jellyfish contains bacteria! |
| C．Crispy and tasty! The jellyfish is a replacement for fish! |
| D．Solving the world’s jellyfish problem? Just eat them! |
10 . Have you ever pressed the pedestrian button at a crosswalk and wondered if it really worked? Or hit the close-door button in an elevator, while suspecting that it may, in fact, have no effect whatever? You’re not alone, and you may be right. The world is full of buttons that don’t actually do anything.
They’re sometimes called “placebo buttons” — buttons that are mechanically sound and can be pushed, but provide no functionality. Like placebo pills, however, these buttons may still serve a purpose, according to Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist who pioneered a concept known as the “illusion of control”. “They do have a psychological effect,” she said. “Taking some action leads people to feel a sense of control over a situation, and that feels good, rather than just being a passive bystander.”
In an essay on this topic, the author David McRaney observed: “If you happen to find yourself pressing a nonfunctional close-door button, and later the doors close, you’ll probably never notice because a little surge of happiness will run through your brain once you see what you believe is a response to your action. Your behavior was just restrengthened. You will keep pushing the button in the future.”
Langer called it the “illusion of control”. Langer described the effect as a positive thing. “Feeling you have control over your world is a desirable state,” she explained. When it comes to those deceptive traffic light buttons, Langer said there could be a whole host of reasons why the placebo effect might be counted as a good thing. “Doing something is better than doing nothing, so people believe,” she said. “And when you go to press the button, your attention is on the activity at hand.”
Placebo buttons are a lot like superstitions, or ancient rituals (宗教仪式) . You do something in the hopes of an outcome if you get the outcome, you keep the superstition. Dancing to the sky brings the rain, sacrificing a goat to get the sun to rise—it turns out these are a lot like pressing the close-door button in the elevator over and over again. Your brain doesn’t like randomness, and so it tries to connect a cause to every effect; when it can’t, you make one up.
1. What might be the function of “placebo buttons” according to Ellen Langer?| A．Providing comfort. | B．Generating sound. |
| C．Adding decorations. | D．Saving time. |
| A．To make comparisons between placebo pills and placebo buttons. |
| B．To illustrate the presence of the placebo buttons has a similar effect. |
| C．To point out that they provide no functionality but still exist. |
| D．To describe how they make people feel a sense of control over a situation. |
| A．Having the rain-seeking ritual. |
| B．Pressing the pedestrian button. |
| C．Pounding on the keyboard when playing computer games. |
| D．Reading the books on ancient rituals. |
| A．Ironic. | B．Appreciative. | C．Critical. | D．Objective. |
