1 . Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude and affection for the incredible women who have shaped our lives, whether that’s your mum, your grandma, your friend or whoever else you’d like to celebrate.     1     But figuring out what to say can be tough! Wondering what to write in your Mother’s Day card that could possibly capture your love for your mum?     2    

Expressing gratitude and appreciation

Start with a classic expression of gratitude. Thank your mother for her unwavering love, support, and the countless sacrifices she’s made.     3     Highlight specific memories or actions that showcase your mother’s love and care. Whether it’s her comforting words during challenging times or the delicious meals she prepares, acknowledging these small but significant gestures adds a personal touch.

Affectionate closing

    4     Common phrases like “With all my love,” or “Forever grateful” reinforce the depth of your feelings. After you’ve finished crafting your masterpiece of a Mother’s Day card message, sign it with a flourish! A personal touch, such as a heart or a smiley face, adds an extra layer of authenticity to your message.

A Mother’s Day card is a chance to convey the love and appreciation you feel for the remarkable women in your life.     5     Whether your style is poetic, humorous, or emotional, the key is to be sincere and genuine. As you put down your feelings into words, remember that the most meaningful messages come from the heart, creating a lasting keepsake (纪念品) that your mother will treasure for years to come.

A．Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

B．There are countless ways to create a heartfelt message.

C．Express your excitement about creating more memories together.

D．End your message with warm and affectionate closing expressions.

E．If you have plans for the day or future adventures, mention them in your card.

F．A simple “Thank you for everything you do” sets a warm and appreciative tone.

G．While selecting the perfect Mother’s Day card is important, the affections written inside hold even greater significance.

2 . When you have negative (消极的) emotions and physical symptoms (症状) like stress and anxiety over a long period of time, to the point that it affects your everyday life, you may be experiencing sadness.     1    , like losing a job or having to plan a big event. The good news is that there are ways to prevent feelings of discomfort from changing into sadness.

    2    

If you’re feeling anxious or you’re having trouble focusing — find a way to remove it. Go outside, go to the bathroom, call a friend, or take a few deep breath. Your nervous system is being flooded with stress hormones (荷尔蒙), making it hard to calm down and see things clearly. So you need to change your environment.

Relate what happened

Go over your situation again.     3    . Do this with a friend, a family member or even yourself, by writing a diary or talking out loud while walking your dog. By doing this, you can remind yourself of details you may have paid no attention to.

Name your emotions

As you describe what happened, name your emotions.     4    . For example, instead of saying you simply feel annoyed, maybe you actually feel disappointed. You can use the feelings wheel, a tool that can help you express your emotions more accurately.

Examine what gives you discomfort

If you have terrible road rage (狂怒), have a conversation with yourself about it. You might ask yourself: Why am I so angry on the road? Is it because I am in a rush? Or is it because I hate sitting in traffic? Then, find ways to lessen the situation.     5    . To avoid traffic, ask your boss if you can work from home a couple times a week.

A．Learn new words

B．Change the situation

C．It may result from a major life challenge

D．Anger can influence your daily life greatly

E．This can help find what is giving you discomfort

F．To avoid being rushed, you can leave the house a half hour early

G．The key is that you should express your emotions more specifically

3 . Dr. Janet S. Choi, a doctor at Keck Medicine of USC, wanted to know whether recovering hearing with hearing aids (辅助设备) may increase the chances of living longer.

“The group of patients who are using hearing aids regularly have a 24% lower risk of death compared to the group who never use hearing aids,” says Choi. The findings do not prove that it’s the hearing aids that lead to longer life. It could be that people who use hearing aids regularly are also more likely to put off isolation (孤独), remain more active in socializing with other people or have reduced risk of falls, which could explain why people who never use hearing aids likely die more prematurely than those who use them regularly. The effect holds up even when the researchers consider differences such as age, ethnicity, education and medical history.

Choi knows from personal experience the difference hearing aids can make. She was born with hearing loss in one ear. And for years she says she resisted the idea of wearing hearing aids, given that her hearing was very good in one ear. But when she became a surgeon, she realized she was missing out. Now she uses hearing aids regularly.

There can be several limits to recovering from hearing, including the cost of examining and the cost of hearing aids. But the technologies have improved and there are more affordable choices compared to several years ago. Still, some people avoid wearing them due to shame or the annoyance of getting used to them.

So, if you have hearing aids sitting in the back of a drawer, not being used, Choi says, try them again. She recommends new users wear their hearing aids every day for 30 ongoing days to get used to them.

1. What did the study find about patients often wearing hearing aids?

A．They are at risk of more falls.

B．They more possibly hate isolation.

C．They usually have good medical history.

D．They are more likely to communicate with others.

2. What does the underlined word “prematurely” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Early.

B．Unexpectedly.

C．Unhappily.

D．Suddenly.

3. Why did Choi mention her personal experience?

A．To list an unusual example.

B．To state some pleasant scenes.

C．To pity people with hearing loss.

D．To prove the benefit of using hearing aids.

4. What is paragraph 4 of the text mainly about?

A．The high cost of hearing aids.

B．The process of examining hearing.

C．The rules of protecting hearing aids.

D．The troubles of recovering from hearing.

4 . The Himalayan mountains are increasingly filled with mounting waste left by mountaineering activities over the years. There is no official data, but Nepal’s Department of Tourism estimates（估计）that on Qomolangma alone, there is nearly 140,000 tons of waste.

Now some of that material is finding its way to local craftswomen（女工艺师）, thanks to a new plan led by Shilshila Acharya. Acharya owns Avni Center for Sustainability, a waste processing business in Kathmandu. She has been working with the cleaning activity since 2019, targeting mountains such as Qomolangma, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Ama Dablam and Annapurna.

“Metals go through the recycling（回收利用）process, but we were not able to find a way to recycle these ropes and small cooking gas cans,” she says. It occurred to her that the non-recyclable waste could be reused, but it wasn’t until she met Maya Rai at an event that a solution was born. Rai, helped connect Acharya with Sunita Chaudhary and her team of Tharu craftswomen in the hope of turning the mountain waste into economic opportunity.

“People like me, who are far from the mountains but belong to the local Tharu community, are using our traditional skills to change this waste into something entirely new,” Chaudhary says.

Finished crafts are sold at craft exhibitions. The craftswomen are paid according to how many items they make and sell, earning an average of 400 Nepali Rupees per half-day’s work. With flexible hours, the project gives women an opportunity to earn money even as they keep their household responsibilities.

1. What is the trouble for the Himalayan mountains according to paragraph 1?

A．No true data about waste.	B．Tons of mounting waste.
C．Mountaineering activities.	D．Lack of funds for environment.

2. What made Acharya know how to reuse the non-recyclable waste?

A．The recycling process.	B．Meeting Rai at an event.
C．A cleaning activity in 2019．	D．A visit to Chaudhary’s house.

3. How do the Tharu craftswomen benefit from the project?

A．They learn new skills.	B．They receive fixed pay.
C．They sell crafts at exhibitions.	D．They explore the Himalayan mountains.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Mountaineering Adventures in the Himalayas

B．Exploring Traditional Skills of Local Craftswomen

C．Crafting Economic Opportunities from Mountain Waste

D．Promoting Tourism in Kathmandu

5 . Established in 1986, the James Beard Foundation assists culinary (烹饪的) professionals who plan to further their education at a culinary school having official permission. International students may qualify for many, but not all, of our programs, and are encouraged to apply. As of 2024, we will be offering the following programs.

The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant (补助金)

Chef (厨师) Jean-Louis Palladin is considered one of the culinary talented people of the 20th century. The James Beard Foundation is proud to offer the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant. Created to keep up the mission and programs of the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation, the project will provide two yearly grants up to $4,000 to working chefs.

The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver (学费减免)

Chef Mashama Bailey is a graduate of ICE’s Culinary Arts program in 2001. She is the executive chef/co-owner of The Grey, in Savannah, Georgia and Austin, Texas. This tuition grant, for $20,000, was established to honor her achievement. Preference will be given to applicants who can communicate a clear personal interest and appreciation for regional food, particularly southern regional food in America.

The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver

The French Culinary Institute(FCI)was established in 1984 in New York City, with a focus on French technique as the foundation for teaching professional cooking. This tuition grant, for $15,000, was established to honor the legacy of FCI. Preference will be given to applicants who have a desire to one day be the head chef of a restaurant.

Johnson & Wales University Tuition Waiver

Up to one waiver of $3,000 will be offered toward tuition at Johnson & Wales University campus in Providence or Charlotte, North Carolina. The award is renewable up to four additional years (for a total of $12,000). To remain qualified for the award, the student must keep satisfactory academic performance.

1. To get the highest award, which of the following can one apply for?

A．The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant.

B．The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver.

C．The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver..

D．Johnson & Wales University Tuition Waiver.

2. Who is most likely to get the FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver?

A．An applicant who wants to be a head chef.

B．An applicant who must be a working chef.

C．An applicant who is interested in southern American food.

D．An applicant who graduated from Johnson & Wales University.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a novel.	B．In a history book.
C．In an education magazine.	D．In a travel brochure.

6 . Behavioral scientists have found that good listening is one of the most important things we can do to improve our relationships.     1     At its core, listening in a one-on-one conversation is about taking an interest in another person and making him/her feel understood.    2     But some recurring (重复出现) features include attentiveness, conveying understanding, and showing a positive intention towards the speaker.

In addition to actively attending to a speaker’s words, good listeners also use questions and body language that indicate their understanding and their desire to understand. This might feel awkward at first, and what’s most effective might depend on your relationship with the speaker.    3     Another great way to show your understanding is by summarizing what you just heard and asking if you have missed anything. Summaries like this show the speaker that you’re truly trying to understand him/her rather than just waiting for your turn to talk. But while a good conversation requires back and forth, planning out your response while the speaker is talking is a common way to miss what’s being said.    4     This might feel embarrassing, but asking for clarification actually shows that you’re committed to understanding.

    5     It’s okay to ask for a moment to formulate your response and taking a beat to think can help speakers reflect on their speech as well.

These might seem like small changes, but together they make a big difference. And when people feel heard, they report more satisfaction, trust, and connection in their relationships.

A．Finally, don’t be afraid of silence.

B．So, what can we do to become better listeners?

C．It’s possible to know what truly excellent listening looks like.

D．But with time and practice, you can internalize these basic behaviors

E．There’s no universally agreed-upon definition of high-quality listening.

F．Researchers have found that smiling and nodding at set intervals doesn’t quite work.

G．So try to stay present and if you lose focus, don’t be shy about asking the speaker to repeat what you missed.

7 . Independent will is what really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to act rather than to be acted upon.

The human will is an amazing thing. Time after time, it has won against unbelievable difficulties. The Helen Kellers of this world give dramatic evidence to the value, the power of the independent will. But as we examine it in the context of effective self-management, we realize it’s usually not the dramatic, the visible, the once-in-a-lifetime effort that brings enduring success. Empowerment comes from learning how to use independent will in the decisions we make every day.

The degree to which we have developed our independent will in our everyday lives is measured by our personal integrity. Integrity is, fundamentally, the value we place on ourselves. It’s our ability to make and keep commitments to ourselves—to “walk our talk.” It’s honor with self, a fundamental part of the character ethic, the essence of active growth.

Effective management is putting first things first. While leadership decides what “first things” are, it is management that puts them first, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. Management is discipline, carrying it out.

Discipline stems from disciple (追随者) —disciple to a philosophy, disciple to a set of principles, disciple to a set of values, and disciple to an ultimate. purpose. In other words, if you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will. You are a disciple, a follower, of your own deep values and their source. And you have the will, the integrity, to place your feelings, your urges, your moods after those values.

That placement requires a purpose, a mission. It also requires independent will, the power to do something when you don’t want to do it, to be a function of your values rather than a function of the urge or desire of any given moment. It’s the power to act with integrity to your first creation.

1. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning “the Helen Kellers” in paragraph 2?

A．To explain a reason.	B．To highlight a point.
C．To make a prediction.	D．To give a definition.

2. What do the underlined words “walk our talk” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Put words into deeds.	B．Display confidence.
C．Stop talking big.	D．Strike a balance.

3. To achieve effective self-management, what will the author probably recommend?

A．Seeking external support.	B．Undertaking more missions.
C．Sticking to one’s own values.	D．Following one’s desires.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．The Secret Behind Self-discipline	B．The Magic of Personal Integrity
C．The Power of Independent Will	D．The Road to Effective Management

8 . Travel Apps That Will Make Your Next Trip Better in Every Way

Kayak

A flight-price search engine, Kayak makes it simple and convenient to price out different flight options heading virtually anywhere in the world. You can filter (筛选) by airline, time of departure or arrival, number of stops and other variables as well. As a flight-comparison engine, it offers a quick way to determine available trip choices. It also helps you find a new flight if you’ve encountered a delay.

TripIt

TripIt is a handy app that helps keep jet-setters more organized by pulling together important information in one spot. Simply forward your trip-related reservations in the form of emails, photos and other media formats to plans@tripit.com. and the service creates a custom route that you can view online, or share with your friends and family. It’s one of the best travel apps for detail-oriented travelers, and it can save you the trouble of having to remember flight times, hotel confirmation numbers and more.

Hotel Tonight

If you’re hunting for a hotel room, Hotel Tonight is one of the best travel apps for you. It doesn’t just offer savings and deals on budget. luxury and vacation properties in thousands of cities, and it also offers steep discounts on rooms that are booked for the very same evening. Whether you’re looking for a motel or hotel, you can quickly search for and select comfortable places to stay on the fly. These features make the app a handy tool to have when you’re feeling adventurous.

If you’re traveling to a new or unfamiliar city, Google Maps can provide an overview or step-by-step directions of your surroundings. There are plenty of Google Maps tricks, but one helpful feature is the ability to download maps and access them offline, always a plus when you’re a tourist who’s out and about exploring overseas with no ready Internet connection. Real-time GPS navigation and traffic updates make it simple to track your movements or route your way to destinations.

1. What do Kayak and TripIt have in common?

A．Providing savings on budget.	B．Helping travelers deal with the delay.
C．Offering available plans for flight.	D．Giving directions of the circumstance.

2. What is a great advantage of Hotel Tonight?

A．A discount for booking online.

B．Finding a hotel room very soon.

C．A handy app for adventurous athletes.

D．To compare thousands of hotels at a time.

3. Which app best favors people who are offline?

A．Kayak.

B．TripIt.

C．Hotel Tonight.

D．Google Maps.

9 . You are what you think. Whatever you are doing right now is determined by your thinking. All your emotions and desires are influenced by your thinking. The problem is that when you are not aware of your thinking, you have no chance of correcting it if it is poor. When thinking is subconscious, you are in no position to see any problems in it. And, if you don’t see any problems in it, you won’t be motivated to change it. What’s worse, few people realize the powerful role that thinking plays in their lives, so they don’t gain significant command of it. As a result, most people are in many ways victims of their thinking.

Consider your success as a student. The single most significant variable in determining your success as a student is the quality of your thinking. Your instructors will play a role in your learning, but even the best teachers cannot get into your head and learn for you. If you lack the intellectual skills necessary for thinking well through course content, you will not be successful in school.

Here is the key question we are putting to you in this book. If the quality of a person’s thinking is the single most significant determinant of both happiness and success, why not take the time to learn from the best thinkers?

This book will inform you of the tools that the best thinkers use and will illustrate the activities and practice you can use to begin to emulate them, and take control of your destiny as a thinker. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of these thinking aids, helping you discover the power of your own mind and of your potential to think systematically about your thinking.

This book, as a whole, introduces you to the tools of mind that will help you reason well through various challenges you face. If you take these ideas seriously and practice using them, you can improve the quality of your thinking and ultimately, the quality of your life.

1. Why do many people lack motivation to change their poor thinking?

A．They are victims of emotions.	B．They are unaware of the need.
C．They think highly of themselves.	D．They lack the academic guidance.

2. What plays the most crucial role in school success?

A．The course content.	B．The school environment.
C．The commitment of teachers.	D．The quality of an individual’s thinking.

3. What does the underlined word “emulate” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Make friends with.

B．Win over.

C．Follow the example of.

D．Look up to.

4. The book is organized according to ________.

A．types of life challenges	B．varieties of thinking tools
C．determinants of life value	D．ideas of different thinkers

10 . For most of history, people lived in small groups of up to 150 people. Then villages and small towns developed, offering safety and support through the sharing of resources. As time passed, urban living brought additional advantages such as better jobs, schools and healthcare. Larger towns also gave people more chances to meet and interact. This is important.     1    

Today, over half of the world’s population currently lives in towns and cities. But this has resulted in a strange paradox (悖论). Although social opportunities are one reason people choose to live in large cities, research suggests that city life can be lonely.     2     People from all over the world can join online communities and make virtual friends without leaving their home.

The development of virtual communities can be traced back to the 1860s. Back then, telegraph operators exchanged messages and gradually formed friendships over long distances.     3    

Later, in the 1960s, radios started to provide a means of short-distance communication and developed communities with their own unique language and usernames.

    4     Computers were not very powerful yet, so people could post messages and share news and stories but not music or photos. Still, people loved being able to make friends online and then hang out with them. As technology became more powerful, online communities for fun, education and business emerged, where people could explore a virtual 3D world, have online lessons, and even buy things with virtual money.

These days, there are thousands of virtual communities and that number keeps growing. Many people believe they will become more important.     5     Particularly, they’re concerned that posting personal information online might lead to a loss of privacy. So perhaps the future will be more like the past. People will spend most of their time in real communities.

A．This trend, however, is not likely to continue.

B．As Aristotle said, the nature of humans is to be social.

C．That may explain why virtual communities are so popular.

D．The first popular online communities developed in the 1980s.

E．Before cell phones existed, radio was an easy way to communicate.

F．Nevertheless, others worry about problems with these communities.

G．This is among the earliest examples of virtual community interactions.