The Importance of Time Management
Effective time management is essential for success in both personal and professional life. By managing time efficiently, individuals can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and reduce stress. Time management skills involve setting goals, creating schedules, and allocating time for specific activities. With good time management, individuals can achieve a better work-life balance and have more time for leisure activities. It also enables them to make the most of their time and increase productivity.
Questions:
1. Why is time management important?
2. What are some benefits of effective time management?
3. What skills are involved in time management?
2 . Taylor Swift gained another great honor this year—the firstever Taylor Swift Award—at the 64th yearly BMI Pop Awards.
Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the ceremony honored the writers and publishers of the mostperformed pop songs during the past year. The Taylor Swift Award was a recognition(认可) of both Swift’s musical influence and creative gift.
In her acceptance speech, Swift said that she was happy to get the award named after her. “It is really a relief that BMI decided to give me the Taylor Swift Award, because if they had chosen somebody else to give it to, I’d be kind of angry about it,” the singer joked.
This eponymous(同名的) award marked only the second time in BMI’s history that the organization has presented an award in an artist’s name. Michael Jackson, a legendary(传奇的) artist, was the first to get that honor in 1990.
“Taylor Swift is one of the most popular singers in the US. She has shown pop culture through her songs,” said Barbara Cane, BMI’s Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations. “She has had a deep influence, not only musically, but also through her personal belief and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it suitable to award Taylor an honor that is as special as she is.”
Taylor also claimed four of the year’s mostperformed songs to earn the honor of Pop Songwriter of the Year.
1. What do we know about the Taylor Swift Award?A.The Taylor Swift Award can only be given to Taylor Swift herself. |
B.The Taylor Swift Award is the only one that is named after an artist’s name. |
C.Taylor’s creativity in music is one of the reasons that helped her get the award. |
D.Barbara Cane decided to give the award to Taylor this year. |
A.Relieved. | B.Unbelievable. |
C.Angry. | D.Unexpected. |
A.To prove that Michael Jackson is legendary. |
B.To show that Taylor’s getting this award is a great honor. |
C.To show that Taylor is not better than Michael Jackson. |
D.To express that Michael Jackson set a good example to others. |
3 . New research into a little-known text written in ancient Greek shows that “stressed poetry”, the ancestor of all modern poetry and song, was already in use in the 2nd century CE, 300 years earlier than previously thought. It has been found sculpted on twenty precious stones and as a graffito (雕画) in Cartagena, Spain.
In its shortest version, the nameless four-line poem reads “They say what they like; let them say it; I dont care.” Other versions extend with “Go on, love me; it does you good.” The poem, unparalleled (绝无仅有的) so far in the classical world, consists of lines of 4 syllables (音节), with a strong accent on the first and a weaker on the third. This allows it to come into the rhythms of numerous pop and rock songs. So it became popular across the eastern Roman Empire and survives.
By comparing all of the known examples for the first time, Cambridges Professor Tim Whitmarsh noticed that the poem used a different form of rhythm to that usually found in ancient Greek poetry. As well as showing signs of the long and short syllables characteristic of traditional “quantitative” poem, this text employed stressed and unstressed syllables. The new study, published in The Cambridge Classical Journal, also suggests that this poem could represent a “missing link” between the lost world of ancient Mediterranean oral poetry and song, and the more modern forms that we know today. A lot of popular poetry in ancient Greek takes a similar form to traditional high poetics. This poem, on the other hand, points to a distinct and rich culture, primarily oral.
1. Where was the “stressed poetry” discovered?A.In Greece. | B.In Spain. |
C.In Britain. | D.In Mediterranean. |
A.A syllable. | B.A strong accent. |
C.The four-line poem. | D.The content of the poem. |
A.A missing link between poems was found finally. |
B.A lot of popular poetry in ancient Greek was then popular in the world. |
C.The stressed and unstressed syllables distinguished the poem from others. |
D.The ancient Mediterranean oral poetry and song was older than the poem. |
A.Ancient Greek “pop culture” discovery rewrites the history of poetry and song |
B.The unparalleled poem made ancient Greek culture more attractive |
C.Ancient Greek poetry lay the foundation of modern culture |
D.Four syllables are still popular in modern poetry and song |
4 . The Importance of Handwriting is Becoming Better Understood
As primary-school pupils and PhD hopefuls return for a new school year, many will study with reliance on computers to take notes and write papers.
The benefits of using a pen or pencil lie in how the motor and sensory memory of putting words on paper reinforces that material. The arrangement of squiggles (涂鸦) on a page feeds into visual memory.
One of the best-demonstrated advantages of writing by hand seems to be in superior note-taking.When primary-school pupils and PhD hopefuls take notes, handwriting forces students to synthesise (合成) ideas into their own words. This aids conceptual understanding at the moment of writing.
Many studies have confirmed handwriting’s benefits, and policymakers have taken note. Though America’s “Common Core” curriculum from 2010 does not require handwriting instruction past first grade (roughly age six), about half the states since then have required more teaching of it, thanks to campaigning by researchers and handwriting supporters.
A.However, note-taking by hand takes longer time. |
B.One solution to the complaints may be handwriting. |
C.A line of research shows the benefits of computers replacing handwriting. |
D.Some parents are disturbed that their children are playing games on laptops in class. |
E.And those taking notes by hand also perform better on tests when they review notes. |
F.In Sweden there is a push for more handwriting and printed books and fewer devices. |
G.People might remember a word they wrote down in class as being at the bottom-left on a page. |
5 . Liu Jichen, 23, a student from Tsinghua University, has developed a WeChat mini-program called “Clear Your Plate”. After a meal, users can open the mini-program and take a picture of their empty plates. Once the image is recognized by the AI(Artificial Intelligence), students can collect points and use them to buy gifts or purchase charity meals to children in impoverished(贫困的) rural areas.
Liu and his team, together with other organizations, launched the “Clear Your Plate” campaign in November for the third year. It has swept over 1,017 universities across the country. The one-month campaign attracted almost 1.6 million participants and collectively reduced food waste by 862 tons and carbon emissions(碳排放) by 3,337 tons.
“Technological innovation is a good way to reduce food waste,” Liu thought. He organized a team of 20 members to work on the project at the end of 2017. To solve the AI’s problem of identifying photos of empty plates, the team spent half a year collecting over 100,000 samples in canteens and restaurants. In 2018, the mini-program was officially put into operation on Oct 16, World Food Day. They then launched a campaign later that year.
“There were so many unknowns in research and development. For our team members, the biggest challenge was whether we were confident enough to complete it,” Liu said. They not only achieved their goal, but now, the mini-program has more than 5 million registered users, according to Liu. “We hope our efforts can start a new trend among the younger generation by encouraging them to cherish(珍惜) their food and develop the habit of thrift(节约),” Liu added.
1. What can we know about the “Clear Your Plate” mini-program?A.It aims to put an end to waste and encourage thrift. |
B.Its 6 million users are mostly students. |
C.It helped reduce food waste by 3,337 tons. |
D.It is an exchange of food for rewards to help poor children. |
A.They found it tough to promote the campaign. |
B.They felt uncertain whether they could complete the project. |
C.They lacked professional technical support. |
D.They had difficulty gathering enough samples. |
A.Optimistic and demanding. | B.Generous and responsible. |
C.Talented and humorous. | D.Creative and determined. |
A.A guidebook. | B.A news report. | C.A book review. | D.A textbook. |
6 . School diversity inclusion and representation is significant in education.
There are many specific reasons why diversity is key in the classroom and schools, including: Diversity brings new perspectives into a classroom. Students of different genders, races, backgrounds, etc. bring various thoughts into a classroom.
More classroom diversity prepares students for their future. The world around us is increasingly culturally diverse. It’s extremely likely that students will be working in a field that is incredibly diverse, and classroom diversity can help prepare students for that future. It increases their cultural awareness in a classroom setting, helping set them up for success in their future.
A.This encourages a classroom discussion and learning opportunities. |
B.Research shows that diverse classrooms improve learning results for every student. |
C.People have different views on the impact of classroom diversity. |
D.There are many educational benefits from introducing new thoughts on cultural differences in a classroom. |
E.Having respect and kindness for culturally unique individuals will help them succeed in a career where it is likely that they will interact with those of different races and cultures. |
F.Students feel more confident about themselves in a classroom full of diversity. |
7 . Recent research reveals that the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by companies in the US has a disproportionate impact on women. According to a recent analysis, approximately 79% of the jobs lost to AI were held by women. This difference can be due to several factors.
Women are more likely to work in industries that are highly be influenced by automation, such as retail, hospitality, and administrative support. These sectors often involve repetitive tasks that can be easily automated by AI technologies. Consequently, women employed in these industries face a higher risk of job displacement.
Gender biases in AI algorithms (运算法则) can worsen the situation for women. AI systems are trained on historical data, which may reflect existing gender biases in hiring and promotion practices. This can result in biased decision-making during recruitment and performance evaluations, putting women at a disadvantage in the workplace.
The lack of diversity in the development of AI technologies contributes to the gender difference. The underrepresentation (代表名额不足) of women in the field of AI means that their perspectives and experiences are not adequately considered during the design and development process. As a result, AI systems may not fully understand or cater to the needs of women, continuously leading to gender inequalities.
To address these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize diversity and inclusion in the development and deployment of AI technologies. This involves increasing the representation of women in AI-related fields and ensuring diverse perspectives are considered during the design and testing phases. Additionally, companies should actively work towards eliminating gender biases in AI algorithms and regularly assess their impact on different demographic groups.
In conclusion, although men currently dominate the labor market, women bear a disproportionate burden due to the adoption of generative AI. The combination of industry composition, gender biases in algorithms, and lack of diversity in AI development contribute to this disparity. To relieve these effects, it is essential to prioritize diversity and inclusion in AI development and address gender biases in algorithms. Only through these efforts can we ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably among all individuals, regardless of gender.
1. Why are women in the US workforce more influenced by the adoption of generative AI than men?A.Women are less adaptable to technological changes. |
B.Women have a lower level of education compared to men. |
C.Women are generally less skilled in technology and AI-related fields. |
D.Women are more likely to work in industries that are highly automatable. |
A.Increasing gender proportion in AI development teams. |
B.Providing targeted training and programs for women and giving them more chances in AI-related fields. |
C.Encouraging women to pursue careers in non-automatable industries. |
D.Offering financial supports to companies that prioritize gender diversity in AI programmes. |
A.It ensures equal opportunities for women in the workforce. |
B.It promotes innovation and creativity in AI solutions. |
C.It reduces the risk of biased algorithms that perpetuate gender inequalities. |
D.It improves the overall performance and effectiveness of AI systems. |
A.The impact of AI on job losses in the US. |
B.The role of women in AI-related fields. |
C.Gender biases in AI algorithms and their effects on women. |
D.Solutions to address challenges faced by women due to generative AI. |
8 . Interactive television advertising, which allows viewers to use their remote controls to click on advertisements, has been pushed for years. Nearly a decade ago it was predicted that viewers of Friends, a popular situation comedy, would soon be able to purchase a sweater like Jennifer Aniston’s with a few taps on their remote control. “It’s been the year of interactive television advertising for the last ten or twelve years,” says Colin Dixon of a digital-media consultancy.
So the news that Cablevision, an American cable company, was rolling out interactive advertisements to all its customers on October 6th was greeted with some skepticism.
Television advertising could do with a boost. Spending fell by 10% in the first half of the year.
In theory, interactive advertising can engage viewers in a way that 30-second spots do not. Unilever recently ran an interactive campaign for its Axe deodorant (除臭剂), which kept viewers engaged for more than three minutes on average.
A.The popularization of digital video recorders has caused advertisers to worry that their commercials will be skipped. |
B.But it seems that less viewers are attracted to the new version. |
C.During commercials, an overlay will appear at the bottom of the screen, prompting viewers to press a button to request a free sample or order a catalogue. |
D.The amount spent on interactive advertising on television is still small. |
E.What’s more, it may not be a wise choice for advertisers to keep adding more new elements. |
F.Yet there are doubts whether people watching television, a “lean back” medium, crave interaction. |
9 . As is the fate of anyone running a hotel in Kerala these days, Bijoy George is a man with too much to do. Before pandemic-caused lockdowns began in 2020, he managed 40 employees at the Eighth Bastion Hotel in the charming historic quarter of Kochi, a bustling coastal city. Now that business is back to pre-covid levels he needs the same number of staff again. But he has only 20 workers. His plight is shared with every other hotel, café and bar. It is a result of the state’s hospitality (招待) employees moving all together in large numbers to Qatar, not to watch football but to take up employment tied to the World Cup.
As the start of the competition approaches on November 20th, workers are quitting at a rate Mr. George says he has never seen in his 22 years in the business. Qatar, a country with a population of under 3m, will have welcomed more than 1.5m visitors before the matches conclude on December 18th. That means finding staff to run all the new hotels that have been built along with other venues that have been pressed into service to profit from the sports fans.
Kerala has long been a significant source of hospitality workers for Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries. Its state government provides good schools with English-language instruction but few jobs. More than 2m people, 17% of its working population, already work overseas, largely in the Gulf.
The appeal of Qatar is straightforward. Starting salaries approach $1,000 a month, more than six times the level for similar jobs in Kerala. To replace those who have left, Kerala’s employers have been casting their nets wider. Recruiters have been extending their searches to many other Indian cities. But that means the most common word on name-tags pinned to the breast pockets of workers is “trainee”.
Among the many skills that need to be taught, says Mr. George, is smiling at customers — the failure to do so a result of shyness among those new to the workforce. The danger is that after a week or so when confidence grows, even these employees may slip away to the Gulf.
Most contracts run for three months, concluding at the end of December, not long after the World Cup final. Returning workers will be welcomed back with open arms. Filling the gaps is even more important as Indian tourism and weddings have restarted. The reunions, though, may be short-lived. The game these workers will have learned from the World Cup is how to be paid better. That means leaving India.
1. The underlined sentence in paragraph one implies that __________.A.other hotels, cafes and bars will share Bijoy’s 20 employees |
B.other hotels, cafes and bars will have to lay off some workers |
C.other hotels, cafes and bars also send the workers to Qatar |
D.other hotels, cafes and bars also find it hard to employ enough workers |
A.Millions of tourists have to be served during the World Cup. |
B.Hospitality workers are in high demand with new hotels and venues open for business in Qatar. |
C.Qatar provides good education and English training for potential workers in Kerala. |
D.The salaries of similar jobs in Kerala are much lower than those in Qatar. |
A.Kerala’s employers have to take on new employees in Asian cities. |
B.Many of the new employees will pin their name tags to their breast pockets. |
C.The new employees will not greet the customers as a result of shyness. |
D.The new employees may soon follow the trend of going to the Gulf. |
A.Jobs outside India can provide Indian workers with a more decent life. |
B.It will soon be the off season for Indian tourism and weddings. |
C.Another grand occasion will soon begin in the Gulf. |
D.The workers only sign short-term contracts with the employers in India. |
10 . You may never know why. The email will arrive and reasons offered for your rejection might be the real ones—or not. Companies do not always like to admit that they have been scrolling through your information posted on your social media sites. Yet many, particularly the big ones, are doing just that. And in increasing numbers, they are acting on what they find when deciding whom to hire and whom to pass over.
Even before the pandemic, online checks on applicants were common. Research in 2017 found that 28% of large companies had turned down applicants after carrying out such checks. Reed Screening, a large agency doing this work, was asked to run over a third more social-media checks in December 2021 than a year earlier. And in 2022, the UK government gave the practice approval when the Department for Education said schools and colleges “should consider carrying out an online search (including social media) as part of their due diligence (尽职调查)”.
The way screening works is simple. Any “problematic” behaviour will be marked with a red flag. There are laws governing such online screening. David Erdos, Co-Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law at the University of Cambridge, says that companies are supposed to warn candidates before screening their social media and tell them that they have the right to refuse consent (同意). Some companies follow these rules, but others may not. As for the right to refuse, it is hardly practicable. “Who on earth is going to be that person who says ‘Hang on a minute — I’m not happy about that’?” says Mr Erdos. “That itself is likely to be a red flag.”
All agree that the spread of online screening is alarming, as it is so unforgiving. People may be unable ever to be free of their online past, says Mr Erdos. Some footballers recently were punished for comments made almost a decade ago when they were but teenagers, as they have found to their cost.
Those within the industry think laws should be tightened, with punishment for illegal acts. In the meantime, caution (谨慎) is advisable. In talks with university students, Keith Rosser, director of Reed Screening warns them what companies will do to their social media when they apply for jobs. They are “universally terrified”, he says. And rightly.
1. What can we infer about online screening from paragraph 2?A.It is turned down by large companies. | B.It boosts the development of education. |
C.It is becoming more socially acceptable. | D.It highlights the wisdom of employers. |
A.They reject the red flags. | B.They have to give in to it. |
C.They will charge the company. | D.They postpone carrying it out. |
A.Companies are tolerant of it. | B.It should be under strict laws. |
C.Its influence is hard to remove. | D.University students are free to do it. |
A.Social-media Checks Are Around the Corner |
B.Companies Are Watching Job Candidates Online |
C.Online Checks Are to Blame for Unemployment |
D.Laws Governing Online Screening Are Being Introduced |