1 . Being bored is no fun, especially at work. But new research out of the Research School of Management at Australian National University argues that while boredom is certainly boring, it isn’t all bad. The disliked mental state can actually spark precious creativity.
The study asked 52 subjects to do a pretty boring job: sort apart a bowl of red and green beans with just one hand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, 49 other subjects — the control group — were instructed to create art projects with paper, beans and glue. Once the 30 minutes was over, each group was instructed to spend five minutes on a creative task: they had to come up with reasons why a hypothetical (假定的) person was two hours late for a meeting.
The bored group came up with not just more ideas than the control group, but more creative ideas than the control group, too. The quality and quantity of production was higher for people who were bored than those who were not. Creativity itself was measured under a standard that balanced novelty and practicality. Ideas had to fit both criteria to be considered creative.
Guiyun Park, the study’s lead author, readily admits that not every type of job permits the fun of boredom, and it can really be harmful to some important work. But for designers and anyone in a creative field, boredom is not something to fear, but to embrace. Sometimes, the best way to be productive is to expect nothing of yourself at all.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The process of the research. | B．The benefits of the research. |
| C．The reasons for the research. | D．The disadvantage of the research. |
| A．Boredom can do harm to some work. |
| B．All types of jobs can embrace boredom. |
| C．Boredom is not always something to fear. |
| D．Boredom can be favourable to art designers. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Negative. | C．Positive. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The Role of Boredom in Increasing Productivity |
| B．The Negative Impact of Boredom on the Workplace |
| C．Why Boredom Should Be Avoided in Creative Fields |
| D．Unlocking Creativity: The Unexpected Benefit of Boredom |
2 . Every afternoon for the past 11 years, 83-year-old AI Merritt has been a reliable and cheery presence in his southeast Carlsbad neighbourhood, California.
His wife, Penny Merritt said her husband’s doctor suggested he get more exercise after he had some heart trouble about 12 years ago. When their son, Kevin brought a bike to his parents’ house, AI started to pedal around the local road and hills. At first, his rides were about five miles long, then 10 to 12 miles, and gradually the length of his outings grew due to all the social stops—from an hour to two hours.
Since 2010, Merritt has been on a personal pursuit to cycle the circumference (周长) of the earth — 24,901 miles without even leaving his own neighbourhood. As a result, over the years, he got to know many of his neighbours and send them message of love and kindness. Judy Keene, one of his neighbours, has been waving to Merritt on his daily rides for the past five years.
“He is so reliable, like clockwork. Every day I see him flying by on his bike. He is totally cheerful and takes time with everybody,” Keene said. “He inspires so many people and shows everyone how you can be in your 80s and still have a good time.”
It was not until October 24 that the old man finally realized his daily bicycle trips were as important to them as they were to him. At 3 p.m. that Sunday afternoon, nearly 200 people gathered near his home to surprise and congratulate him on the completion of his “round-the-world” adventure. As he pedaled down the hill towards his house, a roar erupted from the crowd waving international flags, hand-painted signs and Earth-shaped balloons. The outpouring of love stunned and overwhelmed Merritt.
“It’s just unbelievable. I couldn’t have imagined anything like this ever happening,” he said. Although Merritt has now accomplished his cycling goal, he has no plans to change the routine that has become the highlight of his daily life.
1. Why did old AI Merritt start to cycle?| A．He has always been an athletic person. |
| B．His son Kevin brought him a new bike. |
| C．He wanted to send love and kindness to others. |
| D．He was advised to work out for the sake of his health. |
| A．Merritt stopped to help those in need. |
| B．Merritt tried to help build stops for social use. |
| C．Merritt had interactions with his neighbours. |
| D．Merritt was stopped for some social reasons. |
| A．His trips mattered more to his neighbours than to him. |
| B．He was warmly congratulated on his completion of the plan. |
| C．He will keep on cycling on a different route as he has planned. |
| D．He accomplished his goal of cycling 24,901 miles around the earth. |
| A．Diligent and determined. | B．Optimistic and selfless. |
| C．Ambitious and romantic. | D．Kind and inspirational. |
3 . Ireland: The Emerald Isle
Travelling in the Republic of Ireland is like stepping into a vivid painting where lush green landscapes meet charming villages.
Dublin
Start exploring in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, which blends the old and new. The city is steeped in history, and you can enjoy its past at landmarks like Trinity College, founded in 1592. It’s home to the Book of Kells, a medieval(中世纪的)masterpiece. After that, take a walk around Dublin Castle, a symbol of Ireland’s historical power. Then head to The Temple Bar, with its cobblestone streets and lively pubs, to experience Dublin’s contemporary culture.
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry, 1,179-kilometer circular route, showcases Ireland’s beauty. You’ll encounter green meadows, peaceful lakes and dramatic coastal cliffs. Each turn in the road reveals breathtaking views that will leave you in awe.
Cliffs of Moher
You can’t say you’ve been to Ireland if you haven’t checked out the Cliffs of Moher. These towering cliffs on the west coast rise from the Atlantic Ocean, reaching heights of over 200 meters. The sheer size of the cliffs and the roaring waves below create a fascinating and humbling experience.
Inishmore
Take a ferry to Inishmore, one of the rugged Aran Islands. Upon your arrival, you will immediately notice the hard life of the local people. At first there was no soil on the island, so over the centuries, they made their own—from seaweed and sand. Now about 2,400 kilometers of rock walls spread around the land. Take a tour or ride a bike around the island. Then enjoy an Irish coffee before heading back to the mainland.
1. What can you probably see in the Ring of Kerry?| A．Some historical landmarks and old castles of Ireland. |
| B．A circular route with views of lakes, meadows and cliffs. |
| C．The special soil made from seaweed and sand by local people. |
| D．The towering cliffs on the west coast from the Atlantic Ocean. |
| A．By plane. | B．By ferry. | C．By subway. | D．By bike. |
| A．A travel journal. | B．A research paper. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．An autobiography. |
4 . The following are some of the most recognizable names in art history.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Tuscany, Italy, was a genius. His one-of-a-kind gift was expressing human emotions, which earned him a name from an early age. He kept painting until his death in France in 1519. His Mona Lisa is a painting that was originally left incomplete but has become the world’s most famous picture.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, born in the Netherlands in 1853, is widely regarded as one of the finest post - impressionist painters of all time. He did not become an artist until he was in his late twenties. In 1886, he traveled to Paris, where he met Paul Gauguin, who encouraged Van Gogh to develop his own style. He died in 1890 after suffering from mental health problems. Van Gogh became famous after his death.
Claude Monet
Claude Monet, born in Paris in 1840, was a talented French artist who is widely considered as one of the most important painters. He was recognized for his talents when he was young and he was the first to employ oil and outdoor methods. The word “impressionism” was created after his picture Impression, Sunrise. Monet died at age 86.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain, in late 1881. He began drawing at a young age and had gotten his first lessons in the use of oil paints from his father by the time he was seven. In 1900, he moved to Paris and sold his first painting there. He made significant contributions to the progress of modern art. He passed away in 1973.
1. Which of the following painters lives the longest?| A．Leonardo da Vinci. |
| B．Vincent van Gogh. |
| C．Claude Monet. |
| D．Pablo Picasso. |
| A．He inspired Van Gogh. |
| B．He was taught by his father. |
| C．He suffered mental health problems. |
| D．He led to the birth of impressionism. |
| A．They are all impressionists. |
| B．They liked painting outdoors. |
| C．They all had experiences in France. |
| D．They were recognized in their life time. |
5 . One of the world’s most productive wildlife sound recordists (录音师) has released a large collection of his most treasured recordings of wild places to listen to for free on Soundcloud.
“Martyn Stewart has recorded nearly 100,000 pieces, consisting of 30,00o hours of materials. They have been spread across 40 countries and used in 150 films,” Krause, a friend of Martyn said. “Some of these include sounds that can’t be heard anymore, as they belong to extinct animals or disturbed habitats.”
Martyn is one of the key recordists who helped set the standards that gave the work standing in the world of sound. Few can match the quality of his life-long efforts. Throughout his life, since he recorded his first bird at the age of 11, it was easy to record the sounds of faraway places. But times are changing, and the growing presence of noise pollution has made his job a lot harder.
Among his “treasured” recordings include Hurricane Dorian on a remote beach, thunderstorms in Australia, Denali National Park and Arctic Wildlife Home in Alaska, dawn in Zimbabwe, and so much more. He’s also recorded sounds and calls of certain animals, some of which are extinct like the white rhino and the golden frog.
“I hope the free project, called Martyn Stewart’s Listening Planet, is meant to inspire people to try and protect a more delicate part of the world——the auditory (听觉的) part. They have the connection between sound and the animal making the sound,” said Martyn. “I think we have to become the voice of the voiceless. If we can get these beautiful sound recordings out and let people in the world listen to them, maybe we can start protecting what we’ve got left.”
1. What can be learned from Krause’s words?| A．Martyn’s work deserves praising. |
| B．Recording is a time - consuming job. |
| C．Martyn loves to record rare animals. |
| D．The recordings are intended for films. |
| A．The standard of recordings. |
| B．The loss of natural habitats. |
| C．The increase of noise pollution. |
| D．The extinction of certain animals. |
| A．To meet fans’ requests. |
| B．To make himself more famous. |
| C．To stress difficulty of his recordings. |
| D．To raise concern for sounds in nature. |
| A．Determined and humorous. |
| B．Generous and devoted. |
| C．Curious and friendly. |
| D．Creative and honest. |
6 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.
Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.
So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!
1. Where is the author’s present home?| A．In Chicago. | B．In Brooklyn. | C．In California. | D．In Los Angeles. |
| A．His budget was tight. | B．He was attached to it. |
| C．It was in good condition. | D．It was environmentally-friendly. |
| A．An editor. | B．A salesman. | C．A delivery man. | D．A home designer. |
| A．The finest diamond must be cut. |
| B．Out with the old, in with the new. |
| C．Old friends and old wine are best. |
| D．All things in their being are good for something. |
7 . Nowadays, we know how to work with al old items. Many of them can be reused after being properly processed. Instead of sending them to the trashcan, we have new choices.
Participate in the Give the Gift of Sight Program. Run by Lions Club International, the program makes it easy for you to donate your old eyeglasses and sunglasses to needy people in developing countries. After you drop glasses off, they are cleaned, repaired, and grouped, then distributed.
Donate your used computer to computers for Kids, a non-profit organization.
Recycle sneakers (运动鞋) and athletic shoes. Since 1990, NIKE has sponsored the Reuse-A-Shoe program.
Never throw away books or magazines. Books and magazines are a great aid to help those who’ve been sent to prison. Some of them quit school at an early age.
| A．Recycle holiday and greeting cards. |
| B．Find one near you by searching online. |
| C．So don’t forget the “early reader” books. |
| D．Here are some ways to recycle worn - out items. |
| E．It aims to improve the computer skills of youth. |
| F．It takes in used sneakers and breaks them into pieces. |
| G．Over 1.5 million pairs of shoes are recycled and repaired. |
8 . Confidence helps us take risks and push ourselves to excellence.It can also inspire more trust in other people and open doors that would remain closed otherwise.Here are a few ideas on how to build up your confidence.
Forgive yourself for your mistakes.
Try to remember that you’re only human.
Make a list of your positive qualities.
It might seem silly, but sit down and write out a list.Start with five things that you like about yourself and try to add something to the list every day. For example, you could write, “I’m kind, I’m loving, I’m passionate about art, I’m creative, and I’m a good friend.”
Negative people tend to lower your confidence. Instead, spend time with friends and family members who inspire you and push you to be your best self. You’ll know someone is good to be around if you feel excited and happy to hang out with them.
Learn a new skill.
| A．If you can’t think of anything |
| B．Then,use that forgiveness on yourself |
| C．Spend time with people who support you |
| D．Stop undervaluing yourself when you speak |
| E．When you express your idea in an insecure way |
| F．Do something outside of your own comfort zone |
| G．Everyone makes mistakes,and you’re no different |
9 . Four Must-visit Campsites in Western Australia
Fair Harvest
Playing host to campers looking for a more environmentally-friendly stay, Fair Harvest has an outdoor kitchen made from wood harvested on site and a farm cafe where you can buy fresh produce and home cooked meals. Guests are free to wander in the gardens, go bushwalking in the private forest, or take a class in the on-site yoga (瑜伽) barn—the only campsite yoga studio in the area.
Lucky Bay
In 2017, a scientific study was carried out to discover which Australian beach had the whitest sand and Lucky Bay, in Cape. Le Grand National Park on the southern coast of Western Australia, emerged victorious. Up close, the beach is often frequented by kangaroos bounding at the sand’s edge. The Lucky Bay campground sits right behind the beach and is well-equipped with toilets, showers, barbecues and picnic tables-though campers do need to bring their own drinking water.
Rottnest Island
More commonly a day trip destination, Rottnest is a car-free island best explored by bike and ringed by glorious Indian Ocean beaches. There are options for luxurious glamping (豪华野营) at Discovery Parks Rottnest Island, but those looking for a more traditional camping experience should head instead to the Rottnest Island campground. Here, you’ll find bathroom blocks, a camp kitchen and barbecues, but the highlight is the site’s large population of quokkas, which are close relatives of the kangaroo.
Imintji
Located at the foothills of the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Imintjii is a simple yet well-maintained campground that includes washing facilities, fire pits, barbecue shelters,outdoor seating and water taps. It’s a great base for visiting the dramatic landscapes of Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge. It’s also one of the few campsites in the world that are famous for their own art center, with works by local artists on sale.
1. What can campers do at Fair Harvest?| A．See kangaroos. | B．Buy home-cooked meals. |
| C．Admire the whitest sand. | D．Get works from local artists. |
| A．Walking. | B．Driving. | C．Taking a boat. | D．Riding a bike. |
| A．Imintji. | B．Lucky Bay. | C．Fair Harvest. | D．Rottnest Island. |
10 . 4 Poetry Collections to Read and Enjoy
In honor of National Poetry Month, celebrated every April, we’re sharing a roundup of poetry collections that have been published within the last year.
Black Girl You Are AtlasBy Renee Watson,
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Renee Watson, the best-selling author of Ways to Make Sunshine, draws from her childhood for some of these poems, which include haiku and free verse. The subjects range from racial injustice to self-love. The artwork is spectacular.
Ages 12 and up
In and Out the Window
By Jane Volen,
illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund
In addition to being the author of more than 350 novels, Jane Yolen is an esteemed poet. This new collection includes more than 100 of her works on popular childhood topics including school, animals, and sports. One title: “On My Toes: A True Story. ”
Ages 8-12
Poetry Comics
By Grant Snider
illustrated by Leo Dawson
The dozens of short poems in this collection are written and illustrated in comic panels. The book contains four chapters—one for each season of the year. Titles for the spring poems include “Bubbles,” “Balloon Story,” and “Tadpole.” The subjects for the poems feel fresh and fun.
Ages 8-12
She’ll Be the Sky
By Ela Risbridger,
illustrated by Anna Shepeta
Dozens of female poets, including Amanda Gorman, contributed to this collection. Topics range from animals to activism. Most poems are accompanied by a full-page color illustration.
Ages 8 and up
1. Which book is tailored for readers who are over 12 years old?
| A．Poetry Comics. | B．She’ll Be the Sky. |
| C．In and Out the Window. | D．Black Girl You Are Atlas. |
| A．Animals and activism. | B．Four seasons of the year. |
| C．Popular childhood topics. | D．Racial injustice and self-love. |
| A．To fascinate poetry-goers. | B．To advertise 4 poetry collections. |
| C．To celebrate National Poetry Month. | D．To comment on 4 poetry collections. |
