1 . If you have a big test coming up or want to do well in class, studying is one of the best things you can do. Here are some tips on forming the best study habits so you can do your best in class.

Study in 1-hour blocks.     1     Set aside an hour for each of your subjects so you have time to review them completely. During each block, only focus on 1 subject at a time so you don’t get information mixed up between classes.

Plan regular breaks. Since studying takes up a lot of energy and brain power, it’s a good idea to schedule 5-10 minutes of relaxation every hour.     2     Listen to music, take a walk, or go get a snack to give yourself some space from your schoolwork.

    3     Working with your classmates can help keep you motivated (有动力). Ask other students that you’re in class with if they want to review with you. Try quizzing (测验) each other on concepts (概念).     4     Try teaching other people in your study group the concepts you’re learning. That way, you’ll be able to learn easier and more effectively.

Rewrite your notes in your own words. Organizing your notes helps you remember information a lot easier.     5     Rewrite them on a separate page so all of the similar information is organized and easy to read.

A．Form a study group.

B．Stay organized and work somewhere quiet.

C．Avoid working through the breaks you’ve planned.

D．Find places that work best for you so you can focus.

E．Keep your study time shorter so you don’t get worn out.

F．Solve problems independently before comparing answers.

G．Even if you took notes in class, the information may be all over the place.

2 . As most people would be, I was very nervous about studying abroad in a foreign country. Luckily, Ireland is English-speaking and any contact with program advisors, housing, or the University was nothing short of excellent.

I chose to study abroad in Cork, Ireland. One of the greatest gifts Cork gave to me was a course I took at University College Cork. It was called Irish Folklore (民间传说) with Shane Lehane who was very nice. This lecture changed my world. I got to learn about the old fairy legends, unique Irish and Cork festivals and celebrations, traditions, and much about butter and potatoes. This class taught me so much about tradition and the importance of it. Although I met some difficulties due to the difference in cultural background, these didn’t stop me from moving forward.

Similar to Shane, the local people of Cork were very nice and they were what made the city so wonderful. Con and his family who ran the fruit and veg store that was by my apartment became my source of local information about Cork, Ireland, and all the people in it. They waved to me when they saw me walking along the road and those were moments that I felt most at home.

I could go on and on about how much I loved Cork and why, but to round it out, the live music was special. The Cork Jazz Festival was the most unique and exciting weekend in town, but every night and every weekend there was a band, singer, or guitar player somewhere in the City Centre. I have always enjoyed music, but it is clear to me that after my time in Cork wherever there is live music, I’m going to be there.

With its nature, sights, traditions, cities, towns, and coastlines, Ireland has so much to offer. I am glad I chose it.

1. What did the author learn from Shane Lehane’s course?

A．The power of public lectures.	B．The value of tradition.
C．Skills for independent living.	D．Tips for personal communication.

2. What is the author’s impression of the local people of Cork?

A．They take their privacy very seriously.	B．They are always busy making a living.
C．They are kind and welcome.	D．They have a good head for business.

3. What does the author want to show about live music in Cork?

A．Live music is very popular in Cork.

B．Live music events are limited to special days.

C．The Cork Jazz Festival attracts a lot of foreigners.

D．The Cork Jazz Festival focuses on traditional Irish music.

4. Which of the following can best describe the author’s stay in Cork?

A．Challenging.

B．Nervous.

C．Meaningful.

D．Peaceful.

3 . Find your new favorite hobby

Challenging and fun hobbies have the power to make us happier and healthier. They can lead to better physical health, lower stress, greater life satisfaction, a larger social network and improve work performance.     1     But where do you start? Here are some tips on how to discover the hobbies you don’t yet know you’ll love.

Ask yourself how you want to feel

Hobbies present an escape — they can help you get out of your head and calm down. Ask yourself how you want an activity to make you feel. Mentally engaged? Distracted? Relaxed? Socially connected?     2     Recognize that you have different needs at different moments, and that’s OK.

Start small

    3     Try to figure out gradually if it’s right for you. You can always do more later. If you’re wondering if paintballing might be a good fit, join an outing or two with a local Meet-up group. Or sign up for a one-time pottery class rather than a set of eight.

    4    

When people feel guilty about spending time on leisure, they experience increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Give yourself permission to do something that you like and keep in mind that if a hobby makes you healthier and happier, everyone around you will benefit. Think of discovering new hobbies as a way to add new dimensions to your life, and enjoy the process.

Take a trip back in time

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? The answer could point you toward an appealing hobby. Revisit some activities you loved when you were young, like drawing, putting together model kits, collecting things or building clay figures, which is really helpful to start your new hobbies.     5    

Keep a list

Keep a list on your fridge or other things of all the things that strike you as interesting. Write down potential interests as they come to you, and you’ll have no shortage of options to explore when you’re ready.

A．Remove guilt.

B．Keep optimistic.

C．Plus, they often promote connection with others.

D．Those childhood delights can easily develop into adult hobbies.

E．Don’t invest a ton of time and money in a new hobby immediately.

F．You should keep an open mind and don’t ignore some potential hobbies.

G．It’s also helpful to consider what your life is missing, like creativity or physical activity.

4 . In an increasingly busy world, finding moments of peace is more important than ever. One way to make you have a peaceful feeling at home is to have an indoor water fountain.     1     And it also offers a lot of calming benefits that are able to positively influence your well-being.

    2     It can contribute to feelings of calmness and relaxation, making you forget about the demands of the outside world. Indoor water fountains offer a convenient and accessible way to bring this relaxing experience into your home.

Indoor water fountains can also improve the quality of the air in your home. As water flows, small drops of water go away into the surrounding air. They can help humidify (使湿润) the environment.     3     At that time, indoor heating systems can lead to dry, uncomfortable air. Improved air quality can contribute to a sense of well-being and comfort.

Indoor water fountains can help improve concentration by creating a calming environment. Whether you are working from home or dealing with a challenging project, it helps you keep focused and improve your performance. Students also need to be highly focused when studying.    4    

For those who struggle with sleep issues, an indoor water fountain can be a valuable aid. Listening to the sound of an indoor water fountain can bring them into a deeper and more restful sleep.     5     Besides, having a fountain in their bedroom helps to drown out (淹没) background noise, creating a more peaceful sleep environment.

A．It adds a touch of beauty to your home.

B．This is because flowing water sounds relaxing.

C．This is particularly valuable during the winter months.

D．The presence of a water fountain is beneficial to them too.

E．Indoor water fountains can also make you get close to nature.

F．The gentle sound of flowing water can reduce stress and anxiety.

G．Whether it’s a modern design or a more traditional style, add one indoors.

5 . In the 1920s, Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik observed a strange thing. While dining out, she was impressed by the complex orders the waiters were able to remember at one time.     1     This observation gave rise to the study of what would become known as the Zeigarnik Effect.

The Zeigarnik Effect refers to our tendency to remember incomplete or interrupted tasks better than completed ones. At first glance the Zeigarnik Effect can seem like a handy adaptation: It’s good to remember the things we need to do, and it’s a positive thing to want to finish the things we start.    2    

First, each incomplete task your brain reminds you about takes up a bit of your attention, making it harder to concentrate on whatever you’re currently working on. Second, even if we manage to physically disconnect from work, the Zeigarnik Effect ensures that our unfinished tasks follow us home. They bring trouble to our vacations, our weekends, and even our sleep.    3    

So what can you do about it?

Write your tasks down. Your brain is a terrible filing system. Instead of keeping tasks in your head, make a habit of writing them down as soon as they come to you.

    4     Make a plan for tomorrow before you end the work day so your unfinished tasks don’t remain in your mind after-hours.

Don’t forget to look back at how far you’ve come.    5     Therefore, review your completed tasks at the end of every week to celebrate what you’ve already.

A．Establish a work shutdown routine.

B．Have a system for expanding your job skills.

C．The problem when it comes to our productivity is two-fold.

D．Yet when customers checked out, these were totally forgotten.

E．We always quickly forget everything we’ve already accomplished.

F．We need a way to mentally disconnect in our hours away from work.

G．You have to actually complete all of your tasks to feel mental relief from it.

6 . Welcome to Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of the most-visited destinations in New York City for a reason: history, architecture, dining, and shopping, all under one magnificent roof. Let’s take a look at a few of public events.

Easter Brunch at City Winery

Date(s): Sunday, March 31

Time(s): 12:00 pm — 4:00 pm

Location: Vanderbilt Hall West, Upper Level

Celebrate your Easter at Vanderbilt Hall with City Winery’s fine Easter Brunch. Taste half-priced cocktails while enjoying the beauty of Grand Central Terminal!

Los Sabores de Mi Mexico

Time(s): Thursday April 4th, 10:00 am — 3:30 pm;

Friday April 5th – Sunday April 7th, 8:00 am — 6:00 pm

Location: Vanderbilt Hall East

Immerse yourself in this unique experience that celebrates the richness of art, history, and passion that shape Mexico.

St. Patrick’s Day at City Winery

Date(s): Saturday March 16 & Sunday March 17

Time(s): 8:00 am — 9:00 pm

Location: Vanderbilt Hall West, Upper Level

Don’t miss out on these delicious specials as we celebrate all things Irish this weekend! Gather your friends, wear your green, and head over to City Winery.

Long Island, Where Golfers Belong

Date(s): Monday April 8th — Wednesday April 10th

Time(s): 8:30 am — 6:30 pm

Location: Grand Central Madison

Come to meet our Discover Long Island team and test your golf skills! Long Island is proud to be home of the 2025 Ryder Cup. From lovely beaches to world-class championship golf courses, learn all about why Long Island is where you belong.

1. Which event lasts the longest?

A．Easter Brunch at City Winery.	B．Los Sabores de Mi Mexico.
C．St. Patrick’s Day at City Winery.	D．Long Island, Where Golfers Belong.

2. What is the highlight of St. Patrick’s Day at City Winery?

A．Festival celebration.	B．Artistic experience.
C．Tasty food.	D．Delightful sea view.

3. Where will you go if you like sports?

A．Vanderbilt Hall West.	B．Vanderbilt Hall East.
C．City Winery.	D．Grand Central Madison.

7 . Antarctica (南极洲) is a great, icy land mass, surrounded by the huge Southern Ocean. The ice in Antarctica doesn’t just cover the land. There’s also a huge area of sea ice which floats (漂浮) on the ocean’s surface.

However, scientists have reported that Antarctica’s sea ice is at a record low level. That’s worrying because the sea ice is an important part of the Earth’s cooling system. When it’s frozen, sea ice throws sunlight back out into space. But when the sea ice melts (融化), the water left behind is darker, and takes in and keeps more heat.

Every year, the sea ice at the South Pole goes through a cycle of melting and freezing. In summer, the huge masses of sea ice melt to their smallest point. Over the colder winter months, the sea ice grows and grows until it covers an extremely wide area. For most of this time, Antarctica has seemed to be almost unaffected by the changing weather conditions. In fact, until recent years, Antarctica’s sea ice area mainly set records for growing. That began to shrink.

This year, Antarctica’s sea ice was at a new record low — not just by a little bit, but by a lot. The last time Antarctica’s low sea ice set a record at the end of winter was in 1986. And this year, there’s about 398,000 square miles less sea ice than in 1986.

Scientists are working hard to better understand Antarctica. It’s not yet clear if the low sea ice level is a short-term problem, or part of climate change. The concern is that the melting sea ice could start a cycle that might cause even more ice to melt.

The ice loss problems in Antarctica are fairly recent, but the same is not true at the North Pole. where the low level of sea ice has been a concern for years. But the present situation is now similar in both places.

1. What makes the sea ice important for humans？

A．It helps cool the planet.

B．It increases the area of land.

C．It affects the height of the sea level.

D．It has the cycle of melting and freezing.

2. What does the underlined word “shrink” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Cooling off.

B．Moving.

C．Breaking up.

D．Reducing.

3. What do we know about the low sea ice level in Antarctica?

A．It will become a long-term problem.

B．It will take time to discover its cause.

C．It will lead to rapid changes in climate.

D．It will affect its melting-and-freezing cycle.

4. The author mentions the 1986 record and the North Pole to show________.

A．the influence of Antarctica’s low sea ice level

B．the seriousness of Antarctica’s low sea ice level

C．the importance of dealing with climate change

D．the differences between Antarctica and the North Pole

8 . Improving your career development will help you stay competitive when it’s time to seek a promotion or apply for a new opportunity. The information below will help you improve your career development so you can succeed in your chosen career path.

    1     This includes what industries might be the best fit for you, as well as related jobs and companies. It’s also a good idea to reflect on your own particular strengths and weaknesses so you can identify what to work on as you prepare your personal career path.

Someone else’s experience is great to gain knowledge and introduce yourself to other opportunities.     2     Your boss might also be a perfect one, since they should be able to show you what you need to learn in order to develop in your current and future roles. You can discuss your career path with your boss.

Once you’ve explored your options and found a helper, you should have enough information to be able to set specific, measurable goals. Be sure your goals are realistic yet challenging, and take care to make them actionable. Give yourself a timeline for achieving your goals.     3    

To achieve your goals, it is necessary to make a plan. You can outline it on your own or you can take advantage of external resources.     4     They generally focus energy on helping employees develop and follow a career path.

    5     There are many ways to build them. You might attend training sessions to increase your knowledge. New strategies and technologies relevant to just about every career are being introduced constantly, so it pays to stay up-to-date on industry developments.

A．You should be prepared to adapt your career plan as situations change.

B．This will help make sure you can reach your objectives in a timely way.

C．An important part of your career development will be expanding your job skills.

D．Some companies have formal programs to help employees develop their careers.

E．It is an ongoing process of improving yourselves as you explore your career path.

F．You can seek a helper at work, perhaps from a different department you’d like to explore.

G．Before you can begin working on your career development, it helps to know your options.

9 . Often, research surrounding non-native — also referred to as invasive (入侵的) — species focuses on the negative impact on the environments they invade. Non-native species represent threats or even disasters; some are even famous for it. But according to a new study from Brown University, while the negative aspects of non-native life, including the increased risk of causing extinction to other species, are mainly talked about, the positives are not always addressed. Researchers say that non-native species also have the ability to increase biodiversity (生物多样性) within habitats.

As far as famously feared non-native species go, zebra mussels are high on the unwanted list. They originated in the waters of Eurasia and have grown to become a major issue in lakes and waterways across the Great Lakes, as well as in states such as Texas and California. In unnatural habitats, they reproduce rapidly, outcompeting native species for resources. Additionally, they attach themselves to hard surfaces, such as pipes and boats, costing millions to remove.

But for its research, the team decided to focus not only on non-native species’ negative impacts but also on what they can contribute to habitats. In forests, the earthworms have the ability to change the ecosystem negatively. However, when earthworms are present in agricultural land, there is a possibility for a 25-percent increase in the productivity of agricultural crops. As far as brown trout — a non-native species in New Zealand — are concerned, locals have embraced the fish, enjoying the economic and recreational benefits of fishing for the species and adding it to their local food.

Biologist Dov Sax, along with co-authors of the Brown University study, says that these benefits are not as uncommon as past research on invasive species may suggest.

“Our new paper argues that the positive impacts of non-native species are neither unexpected nor rare but instead common and important,” says Sax.

1. What does the new study focus on?

A．Bad influence of invasive species.	B．Uncertain future some species face.
C．Possible benefits non-native species bring.	D．The importance of biodiversity protection.

2. What can we learn about zebra mussels from paragraph 2?

A．They are listed as endangered species.	B．They disturb the local natural balance.
C．They receive a warm welcome in Texas.	D．They bring huge business opportunities.

3. What is locals’ attitude to the brown trout？

A．Doubtful.

B．Unclear.

C．Supportive.

D．Discontent.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Say No to the Non-Native Species	B．What do Unnatural Habitats Mean?
C．A Close Link Between Researches	D．Are Invasive Species Always Bad?

10 . If you connected your grandparents with flowers or blooms, what types would they be?

A theory called “orchids (兰花) and dandelions (蒲公英)” was introduced to describe how people adapt to their environment. Just like orchids that need specific conditions to grow, some people show a similar nature. On the other hand, dandelions, like weeds, can grow almost anywhere and stay strong even in difficult environments. The theory, which first came out in 2005, was created to understand how kids grow up. But in 2022, Canadian scientists discovered it also applies to older people. They investigated the lifestyle activities of more than 3,530 older adults, and then studied the influence of these activities on their cognitive (认知的) health, including whether their cognitive patterns changed.

The cognitive patterns of “dandelion” elders appear steady, which means that they tend to have better cognitive health, showing great adaptation and an ability to handle tough conditions. Dandelion-type seniors usually have strong social networks, engage positively with family members and the community, and always seek out the silver linings in life experiences. Having various hobbies or careers, they actively communicate with the world and realize their values, which allows them to find satisfaction in life.

Orchid-type seniors, who tend to have changes in cognitive patterns, maintain limited communication with the outside world. While deeply crazy about one or two hobbies or careers, they tend to focus on these interests. Although they may do well in familiar environments, unfavorable conditions lead them to overreact and struggle.

Knowing what flower type your grandparents are enables you to love and care for them better and helps them enjoy delightful and fulfilling golden years. Dandelions sometimes might struggle with loneliness, so family members’ company is helpful in such cases. For orchids, families should encourage them to express how they feel and what they need.

1. What is the “orchids and dandelions” theory mainly about?

A．The change of lifestyle.	B．Personal response to conditions.
C．Growth habit of two plants.	D．Differences between generations.

2. What do the underlined words “silver linings” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Surprising truths.	B．Unexpected turns.
C．Hopeful aspects.	D．Lasting memories.

3. What can we learn about orchid-type seniors?

A．They are willing to make changes.	B．They have good social connections.
C．They have a wide variety of hobbies.	D．They manage new conditions poorly.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Flowers and their influence.	B．Family members’ care and love.
C．An insight into seniors’ personalities.	D．Tips on how to improve seniors’ health.