1 . We have been defending humanities for many decades now, but the crisis of the humanities only grows. In the face of declining student interest and mounting political scrutiny (审查), universities and colleges are increasingly putting humanities departments on the chopping block.
As a humanist, I am prepared to admit that I do not know what the value of the humanities is. I once asked the best teacher I ever had why she no longer taught her favorite novel, and she said that she stopped teaching a book when she found she was no longer curious about it. The humanistic spirit is, fundamentally, an inquisitive one.
In contrast, defenses of the humanities are not - and cannot be - conducted in an inquisitive spirit, because a defensive spirit is inimical to an inquisitive one. Defensiveness is, it must be admitted, an understandable response when the chopping block is brought out and you need to explain why you shouldn’t be on it, which requires their participants to pretend to know things that they do not actually know.
Nonetheless, we should be alert to the danger of becoming accustomed to putting our worst foot forward. An atmosphere of urgency and calls for immediate action are hostile to fields of study like literature and philosophy that require a reflective mood, and the pretense (假装) of knowing what one doesn’t actually know is hostile to forms of inquiry that demand an open mind.
A defensive mindset also encourages politicization. If the study of literature or philosophy helps to fight sexism or to promote democracy — and everyone agrees that sexism is bad, and democracy is good-then you have your answer as to why we shouldn’t cut funding for the study of literature or philosophy. Politicization is a way of arming the humanities for its political battles, but it comes at an intellectual cost. Why is sexism so bad? Why is democracy so good? Politicization silences these and other questions, whereas the function of the humanities is to raise them.
Humanists are not alone in their ignorance about the purpose of their disciplines. But scientists are under a lot less pressure to explain why they exist because the society at large believes itself to already have the answer to that question. If at some point I am called on to defend the study of Homer or Descartes at some official hearing, I will do my best, but I will not run to battle; the battle will have to come to me.
The task of humanists is to invite, to welcome, to excite, to engage. And when we let ourselves classrooms but also in our public-self presentation, we find we don’t need to defend or prove anything: We are irresistible.
1. What is the main concern regarding the crisis in humanities?| A．Students’ lack of interest in studying humanities courses. |
| B．People’s little knowledge regarding the purpose of humanities. |
| C．The mounting political scrutiny faced by humanities departments. |
| D．The pressure on humanists to argue for the value of their disciplines. |
| A．contrary. | B．relevant. | C．sensitive. | D．immune. |
| A．It is the worst action to take in the face of the crisis. |
| B．It leads to a compromise on human’s intellectual depth. |
| C．It requires a reflective mood on the study of humanities. |
| D．It brings about a lower chance of survival for humanities. |
| A．Humanities may not need any defense. | B．Science is more useful than humanities. |
| C．The future of humanities remains cloudy. | D．The battle of humanities is a hard one to fight. |
2 . I am one of the many city people who are always saying that given the choice we would prefer to live in the country away from the dirt and noise of a large city. I have managed to convince myself that if it weren’t for my job I would immediately head out for the open spaces and go back to nature in some sleepy village buried in the country. But how realistic (现实的) is the dream?
Cities can be frightening places. The majority of the population live in huge tower blocks, noisy, dirty and unfriendly. The sense of belonging to a group tends to disappear when you live fifteen floors up. Strangely enough, nowadays people on the same floor don’t even say hello to each other.
Country life, on the other hand, differs in that a sense of group generally unites the people of small villages together. People have the advantage of knowing that there is always someone to turn to when they need help. But it is also true that you are cut off from the exciting and important events that take place in cities. Shopping becomes a major problem, and for anything slightly out of the ordinary you have to go on a trip to the nearest large town. The city people are often worried by a sense of unbearable stillness and quiet.
What, then, is the answer? The country has the advantage of peace and quiet, but suffers from the disadvantage of being cut off. The city raises a feeling of loneliness, and constant noise beats the senses. But you are at the centre of things, and that life doesn’t come to an end at half-past nine at night. Some people have found or rather bought a solution between the two: they have expressed their preference for the “quiet life” by leaving the cities and moving to villages within commuting (通勤) distance of large cities.
What then of my dream? I’m eager for the idea, but you see there’s my cat, Toby. I’m not at all sure that he would take to all that fresh air and exercise in the long grass. I mean, can you see him mixing with all those energetic males down the farm? No, he would rather have the electric fire any evening.
1. Which of the following makes city people unhappy?| A．Colorful life. | B．A sense of group. | C．Close neighborhood. | D．A feeling of loneliness. |
| A．Designer clothes. | B．Farming tools. | C．Daily supplies. | D．Fresh vegetables. |
| A．enjoys living in huge tower blocks | B．is in two minds |
| C．will continue his life in the city | D．will move to the country |
Crowd control could soon become an important skill for climbers on Mount Everest, as important as physical strength or watching the weather. In a single day last week, nearly 40 people reached the top of the world — a record. Reports from base camp spoke of queues at dangerous ridges and crowds as people passed each other in the final dash for the 8,848 meters top.
More traditional mountaineers have been concerned about the circus atmosphere surrounding Everest in recent years, and there are warnings that the crowds are making the mountain more dangerous. In 1996, 14 died on the mountain when the members of several groups were trapped at high altitudes by sudden snowstorms. Bad weather in early May led to this year’s jam on the summit ridge, but the loss, luckily, was light. Just four climbers died, including a Nepali Sherpa who had made 11 previous successful climbing.
Traditionalists are also worried about the growing tendency of climbers to set records and achieve “firsts”, rather than simply climb the mountain. This year’s crop of mountaineers included the oldest man, 64-year-old Sherman Bull from Connecticut, and the youngest, 16-year-old Temba Tsheri Sherpa of Nepal. An American with only one arm was on the mountain this year; an Indian with no legs also tried but failed. Erik Weihennieyer, an American, became the first blind person to reach the top of the world. His fellow climbers stayed in front of him on the way up, describing the type of land and ringing bells.
Nepal views Mount Everest as something of a cash cow. The government charges journeys a minimum of $70,000. That is probably why officials in Katmandu are ignoring concerns about overcrowding and talking about even more climbers coming next year. But a celebration of the 48th anniversary of the first conquest of Everest, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was cancelled after violent strikes. Tumultuous (动乱的) Nepali politics, it seems, could be just the crowd-control measure that Everest needs.
1. According to the author, what skills are important for climbers on Mount Everest?2. What are traditional mountaineers worried about?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
●The Nepal government cares little about the overcrowding problem because of its internal tumultuous politics.
4. Do you think it is a good idea to limit the number of visitors to a tourist attraction? Why?
4 . Endless studies show the physical, mental and longevity-based benefits of working out, while plenty suggest that avoiding activity is bad. But headlines about someone collapsing after a row always stick in the mind. So, how risky is training too hard?
The NHS recommends that healthy adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity — but doesn’t suggest where to stop. This is because the ability to handle excess exertion (过度努力) depends on many varied factors.
The exact cause of “overtraining”, in the sense of doing too much over an extended period, is still being debated.
The best advice is to pay attention when you lack energy or feel unwell and back off a bit. If you are a runner, this can also help with the common complaint of shin splints (胫骨骨膜炎), or more serious stress fractures, which are tiny cracks in the bone itself. The latter, which can be due to a sudden increase in training intensity, won’t heal until you ease off.
“The obvious risk factors are linked to impact and exertion,” says Steve Hoyles, a personal trainer and gym owner. “Running is a high-impact activity and analysis shows that inexperienced runners suffer an average of 17.8 injuries per 1,000 hours, whereas in gym users the average is 5.3 injuries per 1,000 hours.
| A．The story is similar for men and women at risk of stroke. |
| B．So do your best to avoid them by not pushing too hard, or too fast. |
| C．Some experts theorise that it’s all about the central nervous system. |
| D．Swimming and cycling are low-impact but offer limited strength benefits. |
| E．And is there a way to make sure you never cross that red line into dangerous territory? |
| F．If you don’t have existing problems, the chances of something going wrong are very low. |
| G．Exercise will improve your quality of life and almost certainly your chances of living longer. |
Kieran Behan was just a boy, maybe 6 years old, when he fell in love with gymnastics, but that was before a series of injuries, two so severe that doctors told him he would never walk again.
Yet Behan, pushed on. “Doctors told me, ‘stop thinking about your crazy dreams and you must accept that it’s over for you,’” Behan said. “But I just kept saying: ‘No, no, no — this is not the rest of my life. This is not how it’s going to play out.’ And look at me now, an Olympian. They said it was impossible, but I did it.”
Kieran Behan started gymnastics when he was 8. But soon came the first of many blows: during a leg operation, a doctor’s mistake caused a severe nerve damage that left Behan with limited feeling in his left foot. Doctors told him to prepare himself for life in a wheelchair.
They were wrong.
Although it took 15 months, Behan went back to gymnastics. But eight months after he returned from his leg injury, disaster hit again. He hit the back of his head during training. The accident caused a brain injury which affected his balance so much that even the slightest movement could cause Behan to faint. Mearly two years after non-stop physical therapy, Kieran Behan did what he did best: he picked himself up again. He said he could not live without gymnastics and never doubted he would be back.
Finally, in 2012, his determination began to pay off. His excellent performance at the Olympic test event qualified him for the Games. “I felt like I was in a fairy tale,” he said of the London Games. “All I could think about was: ‘Is this a dream? Tell me this is really happening.’” Even though be did not enter any of the event finals, Behan never lost heart and persevered to make it for the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro.
Behan hopes his tale might inspire others to overcome hardship, whether it is in sports, at work or at home.
Still, he struggled to explain why he has been so unbeatable. “I think it’s probably just in my blood,” he said. “I was just born to do this.”
1. What happened during Behan’s leg operation?2. In what way did Behan’s brain injury influence him?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Because of Behan’s determination, he won at the finals in the London Games.
4. Do you think Behan is a great athlete? Why or why not? (In about 40 words)
Group-Chat Culture Is Out of Control
For better or worse, we might be in the Age of the Group Chat. In a recent survey, most people said they felt stressed out by group messages, which can feel like a part-time job.
Connection is wonderful. Grexts, short for group texts, have the feature of imitating the casual back-and-forth of a dialogue, and the result can be more dynamic and fun than a two-person thread. Having a chat going also means you have a space to share your updates throughout the day, a reminder that you’re part of something.
Some researchers call this “ambient(周围的) virtual presence”: Even when you’re alone, you’re not alone. One researcher compares this phenomenon to echolocation(回声定位), the process that some animals, such as bats and dolphins, use to locate objects: They produce a continuous sound and use the resulting echo to sense their surroundings. Humans might use technologies such as group chats in a similar way—as a call-and-response, taking in information about their social networks and locating themselves within those webs.
But taking in too many signals can be overwhelming. Professor Bayer argued that group chats can create a “waterfall type of effect”, where messages keep flooding in and adding up. Eventually, you’re underwater. Another researcher suggested that different chat members all bring their own personalities, communication styles, and expectations for group norms. Without a standard etiquette (礼仪), people have varied opinions about what degree of responsiveness is required—which can cause real tension.
Grext anxiety is hard to resolve because it isn’t just about the group-chat or even mobile technology in general; it’s about the tension between being our own person and being responsible to others. Ultimately, most of us do want connection, even if it involves some duties.
1. What is the feature of Grexts?2. How might humans use group chats like echolocation?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
▶Without a standard etiquette, people have different ideas about what messages should be answered.
4. Please describe how another mobile technology affects your relationship with others. (In about 40 words)
7 . For many American high school seniors and their families, May 1 is “National College Decision Day,” when students make a decision about their academic future.
It is understandable why many students and families suspect that college is no longer “worth it.” College tuition has been rising for years, and many students fear being burdened with loans after graduation. But in fact, the net price of a four-year college, which is what students pay after financial aid, has been falling since 2018 and is now lower than it was in 2006.
To make smart decisions about where to go and what to study, students and parents can make use of resources available today to make informed choices.
| A．To acquire these advanced skills, college remains the surest path. |
| B．However, recent years have seen a sharp drop in college registration. |
| C．These attitudes are also reflected in the actions of the youngest generation. |
| D．Higher education must make college pricing clear to would-be college-goers. |
| E．Huge data shows a college degree actually gives graduates economic advantages. |
| F．Furthermore, students in debt were more likely to finish their degrees and earn more later. |
| G．For example, tools like College Scorecard offer graduation rates and future earnings across schools. |
8 . If the great dinosaurs hadn’t gone extinct, would they have dominated Earth today? There has been a debate about this possibility for decades. Recently two analyses have put the surprising cognitive (认知) abilities of dinosaurs — and their potential limitations — in a new light.
In one study, Suzana Herculano-Houzel at Vanderbilt University calculated the likely number of neurons (神经细胞) in dinosaurs’ pallium, a brain structure that is responsible for advanced cognitive functions. Research suggests that it is the number of neurons in these areas, rather than the brain size, that indicates an animal’s cognitive potential. For example, despite having a very small head, birds have more densely packed brain cells than many mammals (哺乳动物) and so can possess roughly as many neurons as monkeys. The result is that some birds show great cognitive abilities, comparable to the smartest non-human mammals. And it is precisely birds, being the only surviving lineage (宗系) of dinosaurs, that are Herculano-Houzel’s foundation. By comparing the relationship between brain size, number of neurons and body size in numerous existing birds and available fossils of dinosaurs, Herculano-Houzel concludes that a large dinosaur such as T. rex could have housed two billion to three billion neurons in its pallium. If so, dinosaurs could have had the capacity for tool use and planning for the future.
But neurons’ number may not be enough. For intelligence, brain architecture also matters. And this could be the weakness of dinosaurs, argues Anton Reiner from the University of Tennessee. Over 350 million years of separate evolution, mammals and dinosaurs found two rather different ways to organize cognitive functions. The mammalian neurons are organized in a relatively thin layer formed by compact columns. In each column, different parts can communicate with one another over short distances. In contrast, in the dinosaurs that survive today, namely birds, the organization is less compact. According to Reiner, expanding brain capabilities beyond a certain point could make the structure far more complex and less efficient than it is in humans. If this were the case, an increase in brain size would correspond to a greater distance between different parts of the brain, slowing down their communication.
The issue remains open to debate. Herculano-Houzel and Reiner each published a paper with rejections to the other’s argument. Meanwhile, other scientists have entered the fight. For example, neurobiologist Giorgio Vallortigara assumes that speed in transmitting information between networks of neurons is probably one of dinosaurs’ strengths.
Whatever the truth is, understanding how and if brain architecture imposes limits on the development of cognition could reveal much about the evolution of abilities and behaviors of various animals. Also, this debate may tell us more about our own species than about dinosaurs.
1. Why do Herculano-Houzel and Reiner study birds?| A．Because birds are more intelligent than dinosaurs. |
| B．Because birds’ brain structures are the same as dinosaurs’. |
| C．Because birds are the only survivors of the dinosaur family. |
| D．Because birds have the same cognitive abilities as dinosaurs. |
| A．Tight. | B．Light. | C．Large. | D．Wide. |
| A．Dinosaurs’ ability for tool use owes to bigger brains. |
| B．The number of neurons has little to do with brain architecture. |
| C．Greater inter-brain distance causes higher cognitive efficiency. |
| D．The factors behind dinosaur intelligence remain to be identified. |
| A．Are Dinosaurs Comparable to Humans in Intelligence? |
| B．Are Dinosaurs with Bigger Brains the Ultimate Geniuses? |
| C．How Smart Were Dinosaurs? New Studies Fuel the Debate |
| D．Can Dinosaurs Outsmart Birds? Researches Cast a New Light |
9 . “Find your passion!” is an appeal well-intended and meant to inspire. But is it good advice?
“Finding” a passion implies that it already exists and is simply waiting to be discovered. Unfortunately, this idea doesn’t square with what science tells us. Instead, passions are developed. They often begin with a spark (火花) of curiosity caused by something in one’s environment, such as a fascinating physics lecture. Through a process involving repeated engagement and-positive experiences, people can come to personally value that content or activity and internalize it. What was at first interesting becomes an interest. If these qualities continue to intensify, a passion can emerge.
Actually, assuming passion as inborn tend to cause people to be less open, less courageous in the face of challenges and less creative in pursuit of new interests. Thus, encouraging people to “find” their passion may cause them to eventually believe that interests and passions are unchangeable. People who think this have a fixed mindset of interest. By contrast, some people, whom we refer to as having a growth mindset of interest, view their interests and passions as developed.
People with a fixed mindset of interest, for example, may fall into the trap of thinking, “If I have already found my passion, why keep exploring?” In recent studies, after engaging in a new science task, arts students with a fixed mindset expressed less interest in a scientific topic than arts students with a growth mindset. Meanwhile, science students with a fixed mindset responded similarly to an art-related task. For those with a growth mindset, having a strong pre-existing interest in the arts or sciences did not get in the way of them viewing a new area as interesting.
Worse still, people with a fixed mindset of interest tend to expect their passions to provide limitless motivation, such that their favorite topics should never feel too difficult or demanding. Such a mindset can also limit creativity and innovation. If people believe they are restricted to only a few inborn interests and, in consequence, do not explore other areas, they may miss seeing important connections across different fields. That loss is especially unfortunate considering how leaders at innovative companies have long prized problem-solving that draw ideas from diverse disciplines.
Of course, not every activity will become a burning passion. But a growth mindset of interest will help you remain open and curious. The old saying “find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” needs to be updated.
1. The author uses the sentence underlined in Paragraph 1 to ________.| A．set a target for criticism | B．point out the fact |
| C．confirm people’s finding | D．voice his opinion |
| A．Any interesting activity can spark a passion. |
| B．Companies prefer those who specialize in one field. |
| C．People with a fixed mindset of interest are hard to be motivated. |
| D．A growth mindset of interest promotes creativity and innovation. |
| A．One should count on luck to excite a burning passion. |
| B．Reinforced positive experiences contribute to passion. |
| C．Those already interested in a field find new areas boring. |
| D．We’d better cherish the existing passion and look for more. |
10 . Whether your dream is to write a best-selling novel, design an award-winning advertisement, or simply describe stories from your own life, the course “Creative Storytelling and Creative Writing” in European Winter School will be idea l for you. It takes place on campus in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, from January 29 to February 9,2024.
Who can apply?
The course is available for both students and young professionals worldwide.
Requirements:
·A minimum age of 18(average age is 23).
·Medium level of English (Basic 1/Basic 2) required
·A personal laptop/table t is needed for the majority of lessons.
What skills can you get?
While this course focuses on the importance of a story, we will mainly pay attention to the writer (his/her imagination, vocabulary, narrative styles, critical thinking, and experience)—YOU.
·You will master the art of storytelling (“Show Don’t Tell” techniques).
·You will think imaginatively and creatively with an outside-the-box attitude.
·You will write for the audience with an ability to make them see your point of view.
·You will sell your idea, concept or product through a variety of narrative tools and methods, such as presentation, advertisement, blog, CV, essay and public speech.
·You will improve your English vocabulary, composition and writing style.
What is the price?
We work on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the two-week course is €950, with an Early Bird fee of €850. You can only use the Early Bird discount until January 22, 2024. The fee includes:
·Course and study materials
·Application fee
·Weekly activities (except for entrance fees and weekend trips)
Please note: From January 26,2024 there will be a €50 charged as a late application fee for all applications received after this deadline. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, and insurance are not included in the price.
Click here https://europeanwinterschool.com for more information.
1. According to the passage, applicants should ________.| A．know some basic English | B．be good at computers |
| C．come from European countries | D．be aged between 18 and 23 |
| A．design narrative tools | B．improve writing skills |
| C．develop computer skills | D．apply “Tell Don’t Show” methods |
| A．€850. | B．€900. | C．€950. | D．€1,000. |
