1 . It has been shown in about 20 studies that forest bathing can improve mental and physical health. Spending any time in nature is a great way to improve your mental health, and the ideal amount of time is about 120 minutes a week. That may sound like a lot.     1     Just having those micro moments of life in nature, whether it is just 5 or 10 minutes a day, has massive benefits.

    2    . Forest bathing is essentially a slow, mindful walk in nature where you pay really close attention to your surroundings, using all of your senses. The best way to build time outdoors into your routine is to include it into what you already do.

    3    

Walking is great for a forest bathing, even if it’s on your way to work or school. Maybe you leave a little earlier and go more slowly, taking a route with more greenery. Perhaps you pay closer attention to the flowers springing through the cracks in the cement or the trees lining the street.

During a meal

If you consider yourself a home chef and regularly cook dinner for yourself and loved ones, maybe it’s time to grow herbs in your kitchen.     4    . If you can put some focus into the environment and observe the world going on around you, having a meal in your yard or on a patio is a great way to get your minutes in nature.

In your office

Getting your forest bathing in the office can be good for both you and your work. That could mean going on a weekly lunch walk with a work friend, or taking a break to look out the window or even bringing a plant into your office.     5    , you could suggest taking the meeting while walking or sitting outside.

A．On your daily outing

B．Above all, be comfortable

C．If you have meetings in small groups

D．But you don’t have to do it all at once

E．When you have experienced forest bathing

F．In fact, forest bathing doesn’t have to take place in a forest

G．Once dinner is ready, consider moving the meal outside in mild weather

2 . Glance in a café window and chances are you’ll see a lot of people staring at screens. Take a closer look, and you’ll find many of them scrolling through social media to check for what celebrities or influencers are doing, and what they look like. Those updates are seemingly perfect.     1     One minute you feel great about yourself, the next you’re wondering if you are good enough. You can turn over for four ways to shake up your scrolling.

Don’t compare.

No matter how many followers, comments, or likes you have, if you get trapped in a competitive mindset, it can turn into a bottomless pit because there’ll always be someone who has more positive responses. Try to think of fun times you’ve had and kind things in the real world.     2    

    3    

Give your time and attention to people doing inspiring things, spreading uplifting messages and sharing unique and beautiful ideas. Be selective. If someone’s posts make you feel bad about yourself, click unfollow or hide.

See through the façade (假象).

It’s no secret that many celebrities and influencers edit their images before posting such as making their eyes bigger or their nose smaller.     4     This is where the real world can help. Look around you when you’re sitting in class or at a family get-together and see all the different and wonderfully interesting faces. They’re all attractive and all beautiful.

Take time out.

    5     Even if it’s only for a short time. You could try doing something creative, maybe writing in a diary or drawing in a sketch book. Or, even better, try spending time with a close friend, who’ll be there for you when the celebrities and influencers are long gone.

A．Keep it positive.

B．Focus on topics you’re passionate about.

C．Even so, it’s difficult to keep it in mind.

D．They remind you that where you are is just right.

E．That’s why it’s easy for you to get busy comparing.

F．You can be authentic though the rest of the world doesn’t show truth.

G．Pause and step away when social media makes you full of self-doubt.

3 . School-based Vocational (职业的) Training in Germany

If you want to do vocational training in healthcare, social services or technical professions, you can do school-based vocational training in Germany.

What is it?

School-based vocational training does not take place partly in a company, but only at a vocational school or a vocational college. Here you are not an apprentice (学徒) in a company, but you learn practically full-time at the school desk.

What does it teach you?

You will find a variety of professions that you can learn at a vocation al school or a vocational college. Offers are available for professions such as nurse, kindergarten teacher and medical-technical assistant. Many—but not all—of the more than 350 officially acknowledged vocational training programs in Germany are school-based.

How long does it take?

School-based vocational training in Germany is usually full-time. The duration and the curricula are fixed for the individual professions, but there are different vacation periods from school to school, which interrupt the training periods.

How much does it cost?

In contrast to in-company training, you will not usually receive a monthly training allowance for school-based training; in many cases, you will even have to pay for this training. If you go to a state vocational school or a college, there are usually no fees. However, this may not be the case with privately run vocational colleges or schools.

Germany’s vocational training system is known for its strong focus on practical skills and employability. According to a study by the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, around 78% of students who completed a vocation al training program found employment within one year of graduation.

1. What can most probably be learnt in school-based vocational training?

A．Planting crops.	B．Taking care of the elderly.
C．Driving a vehicle.	D．Mastering a foreign language.

2. What should a student do to enjoy the fee-free policy?

A．Attend a state college.	B．Receive an offer.
C．Have a full-time course.	D．Apply for a private school.

3. In which section of a newspaper can this text be found?

A．Science.

B．Education.

C．Business.

D．Entertainment.

4 . The atmospheric level of carbon dioxide (CO₂)—a gas that is great at trapping heat, contributing to climate change—is almost double what it was prior to the Industrial Revolution. This presents a challenge to researchers attempting to design artificial trees or other methods of capturing (捕获) carbon dioxide directly from the air. That challenge is one a Sandia National Laboratories-led team is trying to solve.

Led by Sandia chemical engineer Tuan Ho, the team has been working on a project using powerful computer models combined with laboratory experiments to study how a kind of clay can take in carbon dioxide and store it. “These fundamental findings have potential for direct-air capture; that is what we’re working toward,” said Ho. “Clay is really inexpensive and rich in nature, which should allow us to reduce the cost of direct-air carbon capture significantly, if this high-risk, high-reward project ultimately leads to a technology. What’s more, it can be used like sponges (海绵) to absorb carbon dioxide, and then the gas will be ‘squeezed’ out of and pumped deep underground.”

Carbon capture and storage is the process of capturing extra carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere and storing it deep underground with the aim of reducing the impacts of climate change such as more frequent severe storms, rising sea levels and increased droughts and wildfires. This carbon dioxide could be captured from fossil-fuel-burning power plants, or other industrial facilities or directly from the air, which is more technologically challenging. Carbon capture and storage is widely considered one of the least controversial technologies, to deal with climate change.

“We would like low-cost energy, without ruining the environment,” said Susan Rempe, a Sandia bioengineer on the project. “Direct-air carbon capture is important for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. We can live in a way that doesn’t produce as much carbon dioxide, but unfortunately, we can’t control what our neighbors do.”

1. What problem is presented in paragraph 1?

A．The constant change of atmosphere.

B．The design of artificial trees.

C．The rising amount of carbon dioxide.

D．The storage of carbon dioxide.

2. What does “that” underlined in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．A computer-aided model.	B．High-reward investment.
C．Some low-risk technology.	D．Clay-based carbon capture.

3. What can be inferred from Susan Rempe’s words?

A．We need joint efforts to reduce carbon release.

B．Carbon dioxide holds the key to air pollution.

C．Human activities have ruined our environment.

D．Our neighboring countries should take the blame.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．To Capture Carbon Dioxide or Not?

B．Can Clay Capture Carbon Dioxide?

C．What Carbon Dioxide Can Create

D．How Carbon Dioxide Traps Heat

5 . As ninety approached, many things had changed for Mom except one: She wanted a big birthday party. But because of a fractured (断裂的) hip just 3 weeks before, we could only arrange a small one at the rehab (康复中心) instead of giving her a big celebration in a restaurant.

Mom’s husband, Fred, was also in the facility, admitted to the dementia (痴呆) unit prior to her admission. Mom visited him a few times each week, but these visits distressed her because he was usually asleep and did not respond to her. She often left in tears and was sad for days.

On the day of the party, we decorated the dining room with balloons, and a sheet cake was decorated in her favorite colour. Surrounded by her loved ones, Mom was overwhelmed with happiness. Only one other person could have made this day happier: Fred, her husband of thirty years. Because the party was held in the nursing facility, we had taken him to the party, too. When an attendant brought him into the room, Mom shouted with joy. We positioned them side by-side in their wheelchairs. He sat there with his eyes closed, unresponsive, and the party went on.

A short time later, there was a buzz in the room: “Fred’s awake!” And he was! Mom spoke to him, and he responded. He said, “I love you.” He ate the birthday cake and ice cream. He stayed for the rest of the party. After I sent him back to his nursing unit, the remaining guests were still talking about Fred and his miraculous awakening, just in time to share his wife’s ninetieth birthday. Mom was very happy, crying that his presence was the best gift of all.

God works in strange ways. We were able to give Mom a lovely celebration after all, and with her husband at her side, a happy birthday indeed.

1. Why couldn’t Mom enjoy a big birthday party?

A．Because her husband got sick.

B．Because she herself got injured.

C．Because she preferred to celebrate it with her husband.

D．Because we didn’t want to arrange one for her.

2. What can be inferred about Fred?

A．He was admitted to the rehab after Mom.

B．Mom felt disappointed with him.

C．He was unconscious most of the time at the rehab.

D．He had been married to Mom for nearly twenty years.

3. Why did the attendant bring Fred to the dining room during the party?

A．To inspire him to get better.	B．To help us get close to him.
C．To celebrate his birthday.	D．To make him keep his wife company.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Mom’s Unexpected Birthday Gift	B．Fred’s Amazing Recovery
C．Mom’s Miraculous Party	D．Mom’s Strange Birthday

6 . Art Exhibitions On Display Throughout Campus

Next Up Invitational V

On Display November 21 until November 26.

Location: Sikes Hall Showcase

“NextUp Invitational V” is an exhibition of works selected by the Clemson Curates Creative Inquiry team showing twenty-three “up and coming” undergraduate art students in the Department of Art Bachelor of Fine Arts. On view are works selected from over 230 submissions to the Foundations Review, which took place during the spring semester, and includes drawing, painting, and photography.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Exhibit

On display November 29 through December 7.

Location: Lee Gallery

This exhibition shows works by seniors in the studio disciplines of drawing, painting, and printmaking. The Lee Gallery exhibits the artworks of graduating students in the Department of Art academic program at the end of each semester. The students featured in the exhibit are honored with an Artist Talk which will take place December 3 from 5 p. m. to 7 p. m. in the Lee Gallery.

Natural History/Critical Condition

On display December 1 until December 3.

Location: College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Dean’s Gallery

The artists present a reflection on the natural environment that reveals a growing list of environmental concerns facing humanity. The exhibition points to ecological destruction. This exhibit questions the viewer’s capacity and willingness to address the changes taking place. It encourages the viewer to take action before conditions progress beyond our ability to take meaningful action.

Textiles (纺织品) Narratives

On display December 11 until December 16.

Location: Brooks Center for the Performing Arts Lobby

The Clemson Visual Arts welcomes back MFA alumna (女校友)T erry Jarrard-Dimond for a personal exhibition, “Textile Narratives.” The artworks in this exhibition show Dimond’s collection of compositions using hand-dyed, contemporary textiles. Dimond took part in South Carolina Arts Commission’s 50th Anniversary exhibition pogram and received Visual and Craft Fellowship award.

1. What can be known about the exhibition lasting the longest?

A．It includes works of photography.	B．The exhibition takes place annually.
C．The art students have won state awards.	D．A programme of art will be held.

2. Where will you go to visit an exhibition regarding environmental issues?

A．Lee Gallery.

B．Sikes Hall Showcase.

C．Brooks Center for the Performing Arts Lobby.

D．College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Dean’s Gallery.

3. Which exhibition displays art works from a single artist?

A．Textiles Narratives.	B．Next Up Invitational V.
C．Natural History/Critical Condition.	D．Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Exhibit.